Editor's Note
Tomorrow we’ll begin a week long journey through Holy Week. Each day’s reading will sync up with what was happening during the most important week in world history. So tomorrow won’t be a rest day. Instead, we’ll read the story of Palm Sunday and follow along the events of the week from there.
Read Hebrews 13
Concluding Exhortations
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
Benediction and Final Greetings
20 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, 21 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.
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all.
Go Deeper
The book of Hebrews ends by underscoring the idea that has permeated throughout the entire letter: Jesus is good enough. In order to find joy in this life you don’t need to avoid suffering, have sex, or pursue financial gain. The author so eagerly desires for the readers to understand the simple equation of Jesus + Nothing Else = All You’ll Ever Need.
We can know that this equation is true because of what Scripture says about Jesus. Hebrews tells us that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews tells us that His character will never change. Our good and gracious Savior will stand by our side day after day after day. He’ll be the same yesterday, today, and forever. If that’s true, then we can be content in any and every situation!
We don’t need to concern ourselves with anything other than following the steady Shepherd. We’ve followed Him long enough to know that He desires to lead us into green pastures. He longs to lead us beside still waters. This is who Jesus is. This is who Jesus will always be. He knows what’s best for us and eagerly desires to give us what we need. If that’s true, then we can believe to our core that He alone is good enough.
But do you believe that? Does your heart echo the words in verse 6, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Or instead are you still searching for that thing that will give you ultimate peace and pleasure? Maybe now is the time to remind your heart that you were made for a relationship with Jesus. You don’t need more stuff, more status, or more satisfaction for your soul to be at ease. You simply need more of Jesus. Because Jesus alone is good enough.
So, what are we to take away from this letter? It’s one thing to read these words and nod our heads in agreement, but it’s another thing for us to really believe them. We might say Jesus is better than anyone or anything, but aren’t there times when we elevate our spouse, kids, or roommates above the Lord? Or maybe there are days when our jobs or school are clearly more important than our relationship with Jesus. But if we take what we read in Hebrews and internalize it, our lives will look different. In the midst of this theological treatise, there are some really practical action steps for us too. We’re told to encourage our fellow believers (ch. 3), grow in spiritual maturity (ch. 5-6), ensure we gather regularly with our Christian community (ch. 10), and to flee sin and live as Jesus has called us to (ch. 12). If we really believe Jesus is better than what the world has to offer us, we will be people who live out what we’re called to in this letter.
Questions
- What else does your heart desire besides Jesus? What would those who know you best say your heart is likely to drift towards?
- If Jesus was all you truly wanted, how would that change your mindset on a daily basis?
- What is your primary takeaway after reading the book of Hebrews?
Did You Know?
At the very end of the chapter the author mentions that Timothy had recently been released from prison. Timothy, a contemporary of the Apostle Paul, is the only church leader referenced specifically by name in the entire book of Hebrews.
2 thoughts on “Hebrews 13”
What an exhortation to all believers this book delivers! Christ-followers are to be set apart by their faith, love, hospitality, empathy, fidelity and contentment. V7 reminds us to appreciate those who have in the past and are in the present teaching and modeling a life of godliness to us. I could make a very long list of those who have faithfully invested in me. I’m deeply grateful for their intentionality to be present in shaping my life to love and follow Jesus. I owe them much! I’m reminded that to “whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48) as I’m compelled to disciple others to know that Christ is sufficient and superior and his grace covers all.
Hebrews 11 is the examples of faith, chapter 12 is an encouragement of our faith and 13 is the evidences of our faith. God wants to use us to be His hands and feet for the now moment. We are set apart into a new convent that we are going to start looking into how was completed starting tomorrow. Because without the blood of Jesus none of this would be available. Through His death and resurrection He made our way. So how can we be hospitably, have a good marriage, keep free from the love of money, be content, not be afraid, because verse 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. We are equipped to do these things by the Word of God 2 Tim 3:16-17,through prayer 1 Thes 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you, fellowship with like minded believers in a body or church Eph 4:11-12, also through shepherding one on one Gal 6:1 1 Brothers,[1] if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. There are probably more that I cant think of right now but God is so good and we should be in constant praise for His goodness.
God I pray Hebrews 13:20-21, Now God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead my Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip me with everything good for doing Your will, and may You work in me what is pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. God thank You for see Your people through Your love goggles. Thank You for boldness to speak Jesus. Thank You for how You work so amazing in my life the details when I finally sit and be still. WOOHOO!!! I give You praise, honor and glory in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!