Daily Bread 2011 - Hebrews 13
Concluding Exhortations
1 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.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 man 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.
What Does This Mean?
In these closing verses of chapter 13, the author finishes with some exhortations as to the type of lives these Hebrews should live out in view of the sacrifice Jesus has made for them. At the end of the chapter, it seems as though the author is the apostle Paul, by the way he ends the letter. Some think he added a short addendum to a letter written by someone else. Whatever the case, these words are good for us to think about as well.
As a response to God’s grace and living out our calling, these exhortations will help build the new Christian community and be a witness to those in the world of the transformation that has taken place in our hearts. These include but are not limited to: loving each other, strangers, those in prison and those who are suffering. Also marriage and staying true to your partner is emphasized with judgment for those who don’t, and an admonition to keep free of the love of money.
At the end, God promises His partnership with the Hebrews, as they live out this new life by saying, “Never will I leave you and never will I forsake you.” As we are faithful to our covenant partners and the people God places in our lives, God promises to be faithful to us. Since we know He is always with us, we can be confident to live out our new calling, as we don’t do it on our own strength. Finally, God has given us leaders, who will be accountable for their flock, who will model this way of life in Christ. This is a way that never changes despites human frailty, as Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Just as Jesus didn’t change back then, he doesn’t change now. These promises are every bit as available to us today, as they were to the Hebrews 20 centuries ago. We face many of the same challenges in living out this new covenant in Christ today. We are challenged to love others and keep our marriages free from immorality, and reach out to those who are in need in the society.
What areas of your life would Jesus remind you not to forget? What areas do you struggle to be faithful in living out your calling as a Christian in today’s world? How can the Church help and encourage you to be faithful? Let your leaders know and encourage them as they try to be faithful to be shepherds over God’s flock, which is under their care. We see some leaders who fall morally, and the Church takes a big hit because of it. Pray for them to be found faithful as they will be held to a greater standard of accountability. (see verse Hebrews 13:17)
Heavenly Father as we seek to be faithful to live out this new covenant with you, remind us that you are right beside and have given us everything we need to live out our calling. We pray for Christian leaders and pastors around the world that you would strengthen them through Your Word and Holy Spirit so they can serve you and shepherd the flocks you have entrusted to them. Amen.
1 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.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 man 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.
What Does This Mean?
In these closing verses of chapter 13, the author finishes with some exhortations as to the type of lives these Hebrews should live out in view of the sacrifice Jesus has made for them. At the end of the chapter, it seems as though the author is the apostle Paul, by the way he ends the letter. Some think he added a short addendum to a letter written by someone else. Whatever the case, these words are good for us to think about as well.
As a response to God’s grace and living out our calling, these exhortations will help build the new Christian community and be a witness to those in the world of the transformation that has taken place in our hearts. These include but are not limited to: loving each other, strangers, those in prison and those who are suffering. Also marriage and staying true to your partner is emphasized with judgment for those who don’t, and an admonition to keep free of the love of money.
At the end, God promises His partnership with the Hebrews, as they live out this new life by saying, “Never will I leave you and never will I forsake you.” As we are faithful to our covenant partners and the people God places in our lives, God promises to be faithful to us. Since we know He is always with us, we can be confident to live out our new calling, as we don’t do it on our own strength. Finally, God has given us leaders, who will be accountable for their flock, who will model this way of life in Christ. This is a way that never changes despites human frailty, as Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Just as Jesus didn’t change back then, he doesn’t change now. These promises are every bit as available to us today, as they were to the Hebrews 20 centuries ago. We face many of the same challenges in living out this new covenant in Christ today. We are challenged to love others and keep our marriages free from immorality, and reach out to those who are in need in the society.
What areas of your life would Jesus remind you not to forget? What areas do you struggle to be faithful in living out your calling as a Christian in today’s world? How can the Church help and encourage you to be faithful? Let your leaders know and encourage them as they try to be faithful to be shepherds over God’s flock, which is under their care. We see some leaders who fall morally, and the Church takes a big hit because of it. Pray for them to be found faithful as they will be held to a greater standard of accountability. (see verse Hebrews 13:17)
Heavenly Father as we seek to be faithful to live out this new covenant with you, remind us that you are right beside and have given us everything we need to live out our calling. We pray for Christian leaders and pastors around the world that you would strengthen them through Your Word and Holy Spirit so they can serve you and shepherd the flocks you have entrusted to them. Amen.
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