Hebrews 13:10-14 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.
 
HABITS and traditions are difficult to leave behind. Many of the Christian Jews still wanted to participate in the Old Covenant sacrifices. But the  Hebrews writer once more urged the Jews to look ahead. He wanted them to know the Christian’s altar is the cross. It is not the altar in the temple’s Holy of Holies.
   We recall that on the Day of Atonement, the priest sent a scapegoat out of the city into the desert to symbolically remove Israel’s sins. The remaining blood sacrifices were also taken outside the camp. In Exodus it was the literal Israel camp. From David’s time it was Jerusalem.
   Now the cross is the altar outside the camp – outside Jerusalem – at Golgotha. In God’s gracious power, Jesus has carried our sins into the wilderness. When we confess our sins and confess Jesus, we spiritually go outside of the camp. When you move away from the camp, you leave behind rules and regulations that keep you from Jesus. The Christian Jews then and all Christians today must know in all faith that Jesus’ blood on the cross is sufficient. We must know that the fellowship of communion is the only ceremony in which we are to participate. When we regularly remember and receive the bread and wine, we consider the cross. That is where Jesus’ body was broken and his blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins.
   We remember, too, that we have come outside the camp of personal preferences and self-purpose. We leave behind what we want, so we can be where Jesus wants us to be.
   We also bear the disgrace he bore when we commit to Jesus. The Jewish rulers rejected Jesus. He bore the disgrace and humiliation of the cross because of their rejection. Jesus did this, so you would be saved. In a like manner, we bear the disgrace of family and friends who ridicule our faith. Others bear the disgrace as they suffer imprisonment and extreme difficulty, even to the death.
   But we must bear culture’s disgrace, so we can display salvation’s glory. For the earth is not our home. Those who cling to the world’s desires, who shame Jesus and his church will never be citizens of the King. Philippians 3:19-21 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 
   What a glorious gift! Jesus has come to earth. He has gone to the cross amid shame and ridicule to triumph over his enemies. This is our destiny, too, when we faithfully leave the camp to live set apart in Jesus’ resurrection power. 

Hebrews 13:7-9 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 ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.
 
IT is common within each passage of Scripture to hear a teaching that causes one to stop and think more acutely about a truth God wants us to know. Although verse 8 may be the most well-known sentence here, let’s stop and focus on this: It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.
   Grace is God’s forgiving mercy on us. By grace he has saved us. Our salvation changes our hearts to love God. This love strengthens our hearts when we seek, know and believe God.
   For it is not by works you can imitate Christ. Only the Spirit’s power graciously bestowed into you will change your heart, so you want to know who Jesus is. Through the Spirit you understand the way Jesus lived. You hear the way Jesus spoke and acknowledge he is your all-sufficient Savior. You know he rescues your soul into heaven.
   Countless leaders in the church have been strengthened by God’s grace. The Hebrews writer may have been referring to the apostles.  God graciously strengthened their hearts as he appointed them to imitate Christ. For example, the spontaneous, prideful Peter developed a strong, humble, obedient heart. The Spirit transformed John, the “Son of Thunder” into a man of peace and love. Thomas, who doubted Jesus’ resurrection, became the strong evangelist to India. Saul of Tarsus, the Christian persecutor, became Paul, the apostle, whose strong heart for Jesus directed him to suffer for the gospel to the Gentiles. His words may best define strengthened by grace: 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Do you see that? By grace God was with Paul. The Lord changed the man to affect change in the world.
   Grace changes lives. Grace strengthens lives when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). After all Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. It would be of little use to fix our eyes on Jesus if he is a changing god, leading us with whims and emotions that suit his desires each day. But we know he is always the Son of God, perfect in every way. Although false teachings and new ideas try to change the way we see Jesus, we know that only Scripture defines Jesus. When God’s grace empowers us to be as Jesus, we more clearly bear the image of God.
   Grace is God’s power tool, changing, strengthening your life. Use it well. 

Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
 
WHEN Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) This may be one of the most familiar passages in the church. Are we hearing and believing Jesus?
   To “go and make disciples” is a call to battle. To make disciples is to take captive for Christ those who are under Satan’s authority. As we know, it has been and is a deadly war. Thousands have died following Christ’s command. Why have people been so committed?
   It is because they believed Jesus’ promise, “I will be with you always.” The essential of understanding our relationship with God is to know with all certainty that he is with us always – from this life into eternity. One who believes this has no thing to fear.
   That’s why Hebrews teaches the church to remember and know God is their helper who is with them. Hebrews 13:6 is a reference from Psalms 118:7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. The psalmist rejoiced that God had helped him to overcome his enemies. Even though all the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (Psalms 118:10) 
   When you know the Bible, you assuredly know God is a helper with power: Deuteronomy 33:29
“Blessed are you, O Israel!
Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.” He is Creator, Redeemer, the Resurrection and the Life. He does not quietly stand by, half-interested in what you are doing. Your LORD is actively engaged to enrich your life with his presence, so you will enrich his kingdom. Do you believe in God this way? Do you believe Jesus is with you as the God of power? Remember, he is the LORD, the eternal, self-existent Creator of heaven and earth. He has formed you in his image to be his. His calling on your life is a powerful testimony that he has created you to be firm to obey his commands, trusting his Word is true.  
   But we forget this. Or maybe we haven’t been taught to know of God’s personal passion to help us. To be a strong, disciple-making Christian and church, we need to know and believe Jesus’ promise and power to be with us. Be as the psalmist to declare victory over the enemy who is all around you: 1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  
   And one more thing. You are to be a helper, too. Remember, you are created in God’s image. That means you bear many characteristics of the eternal, self-existent God. As God is a helper, be a helper to his cause. Come alongside people. Be with them as Christ is with you.
   

Hebrews 13:4-5 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.”
 
HEBREWS gets personal. To this point the teacher has encouraged the church to continue forward in faith. The LORD God is faithfully completing his salvation plan begun in Eden. You can believe your holy Father when he says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
   God spoke this comforting promise to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Moses was saying goodbye and commissioning Joshua to be Israel’s next leader. The LORD wanted his people to know he would provide all of their material needs. He would guide them through the battles and prosper them in the planting and harvesting of their crops. The nation would grow under his care if they followed God’s commands.
   Be content with what God has given you. If you are married, enjoy your spouse. Work on keeping your love for each other alive and thriving. Ephesians 5:33 each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.  And be satisfied with your possessions. 1 Timothy 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 
   The sin nature is an unfulfilled nature to pursue what we don’t have. We have been taught that more brings happiness. What we have seems to be too little when we consider what others enjoy or possess. “Something more” is always the reason for the discontented heart.  
   Marriage fidelity is more than about the relationship between a couple. It is essential to the church. We remember marriage is the first relationship God created between two people. It is a holy promise from God that two people will become one flesh to enjoy and satisfy each other. The marriage relationship is so important to God that he often called Israel his wife to highlight the intimate relationship he desires to have with them. And the church is the bride of Christ. Churches become less when its members break or ignore the marriage covenant. When couples live together outside the marriage bond, it’s as if each is committing adultery with the LORD. They covet uncommitted relationships for the sake of convenience and self-pleasure. And wandering from the marital bed is rejecting God’s creative grace. He has given you your spouse, so you would have a loving, nurturing life together. What else would we want?
   Yes, it takes effort to accomplish this. But such marriages do happen when the LORD God is at the center of the union. 
   And do not let a desire for more money lead you to sin. There are many principles in the Bible to help you most effectively use what you have. Yes, you can work to increase your income. God is certainly not against wealth. But he does not want the love of money to be your god, to be the guiding force of what you do and you are. The LORD God wants to be your El Shaddai, your Provider, guiding you to do what is right and to become who you are.
   

Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
 
WHAT do you learn when Hebrews urges the church to keep on loving each other as brothers? Apparently the men and women of this church have been loving each other. Hebrews has affirmed the church is living into the Lord’s command to love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34a). 
   Hebrews then encourages the church to entertain strangers. This directive was to help the church be prepared to offer food and lodging to Christians escaping persecution. Such sacrificial, life-giving love would be a great risk to many households. Countless Christians around the world express this love today when they care for people banished from their families and towns because of their faith.
   Could you one day entertain angels? When Hebrews says some people have entertained angels without knowing it, he referred to Genesis 18 when the Lord and two angels visited Abrahm. And he refers to Genesis 19 when two angels went to Lot just before the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The heavenly visitors had specific messages for both men. To Abraham and Sarah, they confirmed a son would be born within the year. To Lot, the angels warned of the impending judgment and directed Lot’s escape route. Hebrews’ point is to be alert. Have an open heart to discern what God is saying to you and doing in your life. He may be sending people to you, so you can care for them and encourage them in their Christian walk. He may be sending people to you, so they can care for you and encourage you in your Christian walk.
   Through such loving hospitality, thousands of churches have begun. Missionaries have been given rest and opportunities to share the gospel and their stories of God’s saving work. Christians have prayed for and encouraged one another. People have come to faith when a household has welcomed “strangers” in need of God’s love and mercy. 
   Then Hebrews encourages the church to remember those in prison…as if you yourselves were suffering. Pray for the persecuted church. Where possible, go to visit those imprisoned for their faith. This was a very real need in the first century as it is today around the world. Those jailed for their faith need faithful support from all of us. One way to do so is to go the Voice of the Martyrs website at https://www.persecution.com/. About mid-page, you will find three ways you can join with people around the world to pray for God’s protection and provision for his faithful children.
   Keep on caring for others. Keep on loving. 

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
 
THIS “therefore” follows Hebrews 12:27 so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
   What else is there to do but to be thankful and worship God? With awe and reverence, we consider what God has done to save mankind. We worship his love that has caused him to prepare a sure and eternal home for us. In faith we revere God’s mercy to forgive our sins. And we understand his justice to condemn those who are evil.
   Once he calls us to himself, the unshakeable God holds us securely in his hand. We must not consider this as something we deserve. It is only God’s rich kindness and tender love that changes our lives.
   For he is a consuming fire who demands justice. Hebrews draws from Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 4:24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Moses knew the full measure of these words when God judged Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. When they offered unauthorized fire to the LORD, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. (Leviticus10:2) Looking ahead, we see the prophecies of God’s judgment include the final destruction of sin with fire: Revelation 18:8 (Babylon) will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
   Knowing how much God hates sin helps us understand how great is his love to remove sin from our lives. How easily he could have flooded the earth and left it empty, to enjoy his natural creation as heaven’s extension. How quickly Yahweh could have destroyed Israel when they often rejected his provision in the desert and absolutely refused to enter the Promised Land. The consuming fire could have destroyed the religious authorities who opposed Jesus. Heaven’s fire could have come down on those such as Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted the early church. Today God’s consuming fire could quickly remove all opposition to his church.
   But God has a plan. He is love. And his purpose is to bless all the nations of the earth as he promised Abraham so many years ago. With love and mercy, God is withholding his fire until his plan is complete. Praise God you have been touched with the Spirit’s fire of redemption to save you from destruction.

Hebrews 12:25-27 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  27 The words “once more”  indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
 
AT the Transfiguration, the Father spoke to the three disciples, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” (Mark 9:7b) Again, with a mix of New and Old Covenant, Hebrews exhorts the church to obey the Father and to listen to Jesus, so they do not refuse him who speaks. History tells us those who refused God in the 40 years of desert wandering did not escape God’s wrath. Listen to God and be saved. We all have heard that. Are you listening to Jesus now?
   As you consider Jesus, have you thought he is speaking to you from heaven? Remember, Jesus promised, “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) The Spirit is a conduit of Jesus’ teachings. He awakens us to the Bible’s truth. He teaches us how to use Jesus’ teachings to respond to the world around us. The Spirit guides you, his church, forward into the path he has prepared for you to follow him toward the new heaven and earth.
   Our work is to listen to the Son through the Spirit. There is no excuse to not know what Jesus says. Often the question is, “What is God’s will?” as we encounter a situation. God’s will is defined and detailed in Scripture, so you can know how to respond with God’s righteous wisdom.
   When God spoke from Sinai, his presence shook the earth.  Exodus 19:18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently.
   Then Hebrews points to the promise from the prophet Haggai 2:6 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
   This defines the Day of the Lord. In the final shaking of the earth, God will remove all created things. The New Jerusalem will be God’s heavenly city that cannot be shaken.
  Faithful hearts are strong and confident because you listen to Jesus. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8) 

Hebrews 12:18-24 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
 
THE Christian must know two mountains: Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion. Sinai is the physical mountain of the law. Mt. Zion is the spiritual mountain of grace.
   Exodus 19 describes a fearful scene at Mt. Sinai. Israel was just two months out of Egypt. They had seen God’s power in Egypt. At Sinai they would hear God’s voice and see his holy presence before them. Exodus 19:16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. God was preparing to reveal the Ten Commandments. God wanted to be Israel’s God. He wanted their full attention. The LORD God wanted their worship.
   The Hebrews writer rejoices that through God’s covenant of grace we don’t have to go to Sinai. Our home is Mt. Zion. This is the heavenly city that will come down in glory on the Day of the Lord. John describes this in Revelation 21-22.
    John’s view of the eternal city is years before Jesus’ revelation to John. In more detail John describes the city of the living God. Revelation 21:3-4 “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”  God will complete his desire to be with his people.
   Revelation also has many scenes of thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly. Hebrews also describes the church as the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. John wrote in Revelation 1:5 Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. And in Revelation 21:27 but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter the city.  
   Hebrews rejoices and affirms we are God’s people, made perfect not by law but through Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. This is possible and true because Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19-20) Jesus moved the covenant from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion.
           Rejoice and be glad that one day the trumpet call will sound on Mt. Zion. Jesus will gather you and all Christians to him for eternal life in the glorious city. 

Hebrews 12:15-17 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.
 
THIS is about knowing what is essential. Focus your life on God’s grace. It is by his grace you have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:5b).  Treasure his salvation. No worldly possession is worth selling your soul for quick physical pleasure.  
   Sensual pleasure is the bitter root of all sin, isn’t it? Esau learned that. He was Rebekah’s and Isaac’s older twin son. His firstborn status gave him the honor to receive the family’s birthright. That meant Esau was to inherit a double portion of his father’s estate. He would become the highest authority of the family. Also, he would be the family’s spiritual leader. Is this not worth savoring and protecting? Surely he could have waited for lunch!
   But with one simple meal of red stew, Esau sold the promise to his brother Jacob. After all, he was hungry: “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:30-32)
   Quick, impulsive and destructive, Esau, the strong, experienced hunter, was pierced with the arrows of instant gratification. From this bitter root of rejected birthright grew a dividing wall between the brothers. Esau’s hatred and jealousy threatened Jacob’s life. Jacob fled to Rebekah’s homeland.
   We can look to Esau as we look to Adam and Eve and to others in Scripture who suspended God’s law to enact their own desires. Their rash actions to satisfy physical desire is the cradle and nursery of human sin. They were not satisfied. With bounty as their rightful gift from God, an immediate hunger destroyed the eternal blessing.
   God has graciously given us particular laws to guard our hearts and protect our bodies. But our nature is to say, “I need it now.” We disdain his gift, so we can satisfy our momentary passions. Sin’s bitter root grows very large doesn’t it? What heartache there is when we realize our sin. There is no returning to the scene to undo it.
   But God can undo it in your heart. In our guilt and regret, we can return to the assurance of Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  
   The LORD redeems a repentant heart. He removes sin’s bitter root and transforms your life into a fruitful vine that is one with Jesus. (John 15) In Jesus you will know what is essential. You will focus your life on God’s grace to save you. You will resist temptation because you know your birthright. Since you are his child, God has made you his heir. (Galatians 4:7)

Hebrews 12:12-14 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
 
FIX your eyes on Jesus. Know the Lord disciplines those he loves. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and knees. The Christian Jews would know that their teacher is once more pointing them to the Old Testament: Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”
   Isaiah spoke to a people in distress as they watched unbelief and idolatry destroy Judah’s relationship with God. The faithful Jews were a remnant, a small number of believers who were often threatened and mocked for their faith in Yahweh. Feeble hands means those who are depressed. Those with weak knees were terrified. Isaiah preached God’s power and urged the faithful to have a confident, strong faith. God will protect and save his people. God will destroy his people’s enemies.
   In a like manner, Hebrews wrote to a church surrounded with idolatrous, unbelieving people. The Christians were fixing their eyes too much on the opposition and too little on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2b). But God has spoken through the ages. Set your eyes, ears, heart and mind on God’s power.   
   To fix our eyes on Jesus is not about sitting and staring at him; it’s about seeing his resurrection power strengthen and change your life. You know your Lord is risen victorious over the cross and the grave. Why should we allow the world’s ways to depress and to terrify us? When we know he is preparing a place for us in heaven, and he is coming again to take us into that place, how can anything weaken us? After all, we have a command from the Commander to make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy. This must be our commitment. To be at peace with others requires God’s wisdom, so we can strive to be holy as the Lord is holy. Our every effort is to work toward God because Jesus has saved us from our sins. If you want people to know Jesus, you must work with strength and confidence toward holy living. For without holiness no one will see the Lord. Your task is to speak with an attitude of love and humility, to forgive those who sin against you and to live under Jesus’ commands.  
   Be different than the world. Be as Jesus. He is Strength. He is the Victor. He is Lord.