“…may He work in us…” Hebrews 13:21
/As we conclude our look into the letter to first century Jewish Christians, we will find an array of powerful five-word phrases:
“Keep on loving each other…” (Hebrews 13:1) This was not a casual nudge to treat others with respect. It was a command with a qualifier: to love one’s fellow Believer as a family member. This was the new commandment given by Jesus in the Upper Room at The Last Supper (John 13:34-35). Many American Christians have no clue how to love their fellow Believer, yet this one commandment is what is supposed to set us apart before the world as true disciples of Jesus. The church must invest more time and effort in teaching this vital precept to modern day Christians.
“…some people have entertained angels” (v.2); words which followed the second command in this chapter, “Do not forget to entertain strangers…”. We may not comprehend the intent of this command because of the word, “entertain”; for it does not convey our use of the word today. The writers are directing followers of Christ to be sensitive to those who may need help, following the example Jesus taught about the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The writers included prisoners and others being mistreated by society in this command, urging Believers to empathize with others who are hurting or in desperate circumstances (v.3).
“…the marriage bed kept pure…” (v.4); another command directing Believers to let their marriages be a model to the community so that marriage is “honored by all”. A warning is given with this command: that God would judge the adulterer and all who are sexually immoral. Nothing sets tongues wagging like the gossip of hanky-panky, and each time we give others something to talk about, we are hurting the message of Christ’s transforming power. If your marriage has experienced unfaithfulness, seek God’s forgiveness through confession, or be willing to restore the unfaithful partner through forgiveness and restoration.
“…The Lord is my helper…” (v.6). These words are paired with the next command directing Believers to reject the inclination to be driven by love for monetary gain while remaining content with what one has accumulated by God’s grace (v.5). This command comes with reminders of God’s promises:
o “Never will I leave you…” (Joshua 1:5a)
o “…never will I forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5b)
o “The Lord is my helper…” (Psalm 118:6-7)
“Consider… their way of life…” (v.7) Yet another command is given to, “remember your leaders who spoke the Word of God to you”. Believers are instructed to care for those who provide spiritual oversight of their souls (that’s the semantic of the word translated, “remember”), and to observe the lifestyle of their pastor(s) which can serve as a model for them to imitate.
The writers provided further guidance on this in verse seventeen, instructing Believers to OBEY their leaders and SUBMIT to their authority (v.17a; caps are mine). There is a real lack of these two traits in the church today, even though an explanation is given by the writers for doing so:
pastors keep watch over you as men who must be ready to give an account for their ministry before God (v.17b).
the work of a pastor is more joyful when the church obeys The Word from which they preach (v.17c)
A Barna survey of American pastor revealed some sad statistics:
o 97% of pastors have been betrayed, falsely accused or hurt by their own church members;
o 70% of pastors battle depression;
o 1500 pastors leave the ministry each month, many driven away by their church (if your church has a history of abusing pastors, call the church to prayer, asking for God’s forgiveness; then seek to restore broken relationships and pastors who have been hurt by this corrupt corporate behavior;
o Only 10% of full-time pastors get to retire as such;
o 80% of pastors feel discouraged;
o 94% of pastor’s families feel the pressure of ministry;
o 90% of pastors report working 55 – 75 hours per week.
PRAY FOR YOUR PASTORS!
Do not be carried away…” (v.9). This instruction leads into a review of the new covenant through Jesus Christ. Ceremonial foods, sacrifices, and salvation through any ceremonial works have no merit before God. Christians are not to fall prey to a justification through works system. Just as the bodies of sacrificed animals were burned outside the camp (during the Exodus; Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:12, 21, 9:11, 16:27), so Jesus suffered upon the cross outside Jerusalem’s gates. The writers encourage traditional Jews to leave their traditions… to leave the ‘camp’, explaining this way:
“Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name.” (vv. 13 – 15)
Yes, the sacrifices we now offer are from our hearts, passing through our lips in confession of His Lordship and in thanksgiving for His marvelous gift of salvation! His Lordship has not changed, for He is the same yesterday, today and forever (v.8)!
“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 forever and ever. Amen” (vv. 20 – 21)
“Grace be with you all.” (v.25)