• The Explore the Bible lesson for Nov. 30 focuses on Hebrews 13:1-8.
Hebrews 13 is the conclusion to the book of Hebrews and the sermon found there. Rounding out the high theological treatment of Christ and the old and new covenant, the writer turns the corner with some bullet points of application. It is almost as if we are hearing the church announcements (vv. 1-16)—including prayer requests (vv. 18-19)—to round out the worship service.
The announcements are more than practicalities; they are integrally rooted in the theology of the sermon. The sermon finally ends with a beautiful doxology in verses 20-21. Following that, the writer sends epistolary greetings that accompany this sermon to the congregation (vv. 22-25).
Life under the new covenant
The application is linked closely with the preceding chapter, where the congregation is exhorted to “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy” (12:14). Chapter 13 describes the life in Christ believers will live under the new covenant.
These applications describe how Christians are to interact with others and how to live lives set apart and holy. A life so lived is truly an act of witness and worship, as the writer has said, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (12:28).
The kingdom is best lived out within the context of relationships within the Christian community. Mutual love (v. 1) will be the church’s witness to the world, just as Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The world “outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:13-15) of Christian community is full of suffering and disgrace, as believers are ostracized and even persecuted for the Christian faith. But they find solidarity and the bonds of family within Christian community that serve to support one another in their faith and bring glory to God as a witness to the outside community.
Just as Abraham and Sarah welcomed heavenly visitors at Mamre (Genesis 18:1-21), so the congregation was to welcome visitors into their home (v. 2). Inns not only were prohibitively expensive, but also usually disreputable, and it was common practice for itinerant teachers to stay in the homes of believers when they taught a congregation.
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Remember those in prison
Believers also were to remember those who were in prison (v. 3), many of them likely for their faithfulness to the gospel and to Christian community. During this time, prisoners were not treated well, often faced beatings or abuse, and depended upon friends and family for even daily needs like food and water. They were to show such solidarity with those suffering in prison that it should be as if they were feeling the pain in their own bodies.
Jewish and early Christian teachings typically joined warnings about sex and money in discussions of morality. Both are rooted in self-gratification. Believers are to keep the marriage bed pure (v. 4) and to honor sexual intimacy between a husband and wife in the marriage relationship.
We may be tempted to read this Scripture with an eye to our culture and dismiss it because “times have changed.” However, sexual immorality was as prevalent in the days of the early church as it is now, and believers were to live in stark contrast to their culture, with the faithfulness between a husband and wife reflecting the faithfulness of Christ to the church (compare with Ephesians 5:25).
The Christians’ trust in God’s provision is another witness to God’s faithfulness. Believers are to exhibit an emotional detachment from material possessions and live lives of simplicity and contentedness. They can trust God never will leave them or forsake them but will provide for their needs and come to their aid.
Finally, the writer exhorts the congregation to consider the life and teachings of their leaders. They are to remember those who have demonstrated lives and teachings worth imitating, whose holiness points them to the exalted Christ. One chapter earlier, the mental image of a great cloud of witnesses was painted, and believers were instructed to fix their eyes upon Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2).
The Apostle Paul makes the connection more clear when he says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The same Jesus who was faithful to believers then is faithful now and will remain faithful in the future.
Endurance
Despite persecution and hardship, suffering and uncertainty, believers can trust their great high priest who has gone before them. They can run the marathon of the Christian life with perseverance, without growing weary and losing heart. Just as Christ endured, just as their leaders have done before them, their lives and their words can be sacrifice of praise to God. The God who brought Jesus back from the dead can do a good work in us that is pleasing to him and brings glory to God.
And so we can say with the writer of the book of Hebrews, “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (vv. 20-21).
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