Hebrews 13

Hebrews 13:1

In chapter 11, we saw the walk of faith and in chapter 12, the wisdom of hope. Here in chapter 13, we’ll see the way of love. Notice seven characteristics of this most important virtue… Love flows among the saints. The implication linguistically is that this love is not something you have to work at, pump up, or rally around. It’s already there. A man gave the following account… I was walking across the Golden Gate Bridge when I saw a man about to jump off. I tried to dissuade him from committing suicide and told him simply that God loved him. I noticed a tear came to his eye. “Are you a Christian?” I asked. “Yes,” he said. “Me too! What a small world. Protestant or Catholic?” “Protestant.” “Me too! What denomination?” “Baptist.” “Me too!” I said. “Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?” “Northern Baptist.” “Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?” “Northern Conservative Baptist.” “Amazing!” I said, “Call Ripley. This is incredible! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist or Northern Conservative Reformed Baptist?” “Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist.” “Remarkable! Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region or Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Eastern Region?” “Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region.” “This is a miracle!” I said. “Are you Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879 or are you Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?” “Northern Conservative Fundamentalist Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.” “Die, you heretic,” I saidand pushed him over the rail. Rather than dividing the body of Christ with labels and factions, we are to let brotherly love flow to the person sitting next to us, to our Baptist brothers, to our Episcopalian sisters, to the entire scope of Christianity.

Hebrews 13:2

Love shows itself to strangers. When the angels approached Abraham as he sat in front of his tent, he realized there was something supernatural about them (Gen_18:2). There are those who take this verse to mean they should pick up every hitchhiker they see in the event he might be an angel. But such is probably not the case. As I read the Word, I am aware that when angels do appear, there’s a sense within the hearts of those showing hospitality that they are entertaining someone unique.

Hebrews 13:3

Love cares about suffering. Love not only flows among the saints and shows itself to strangers but also cares about those in bonds, and those hurting physically.

Hebrews 13:4

Love clings to one’s spouse. Perhaps to counter the teaching of the Essenes, who abstained from marriage, as well as that of the gnostics, who discredited it, the author defends the divine design of marriage. The Book of Proverbs makes it plain that if you give yourself outside of marriage, you will experience a destruction of your soul due to the fact that when two people come together physically, it is not only the melding of two bodies, but of two souls (Pro_6:32).

Hebrews 13:5

Love brings satisfaction. We can practice the admonition of verse Heb_13:5 to be content because of the promise in verse Heb_13:6 that Jesus will never leave us. You see, the degree to which I realize the Lord is with me, the degree to which I enjoy His fellowship intimately is the degree to which I will be content continually. When you’re newly marriedliving on beans and decorating with bookshelves made of bricks and boardsyou have very little materially. But you don’t even notice it because you’re in love, and love brings true contentment and satisfaction. So, too, if I’m in love with the Lord, I will not covet. I will be content with whatever I have simply because He is with me.

Hebrews 13:7

Love is seen in submission. “How can I get my kids to respect the authority I have been given over them?” The answer is to base your words with your kids upon Scripture. Tell them not only what to do, but whybased upon the stories of the Old Testament, the parables of Jesus, the teachings of Paul. If I only tell my kids what to do and never why, they will ultimately rebel against what they will perceive as legalism. But if what I’m saying is based upon and illustrated by the Word, submission is not nearly the problem it would be otherwise. It’s amazing what God will bring to your memory as you’re talking with your kids during devotions or over dinner. After all, didn’t Jesus promise the Holy Spirit would bring all things to our remembrance? (Joh_14:26) Nothing, however, can be brought to your remembrance that was never stored in your memory. Read the Word, dear Mom and Dadand teach it to your kids.

Hebrews 13:8

Love’s source is Jesus. The fact that love flows among the saints and shows itself to strangers; that it cares about suffering and cleaves to one’s spouse; that it brings satisfaction and is seen in submission is all based upon the singular presupposition that Jesus is the source and that He’ll never change.

Hebrews 13:9

On the Cross, Jesus didn’t say, “To be continued.” He said, “It is finished.” Sacrifices, self-effort, works of the flesh, or anything else that diminishes this is a strange doctrine. The author enjoins his readers to stay away from doctrines based upon rules and rituals, meats and sacrifices and, instead, keep their walk with the Lord based on grace. “But we miss the texture and tradition of the temple,” some might have protested. “How can we truly worship without incense or an altar?” Read on.

Hebrews 13:10

“Oh, but we do have an altar,” maintains the author. “It’s just outside the camp”…

Hebrews 13:12

Leviticus 14, 16, and Exodus 29 are three Old Testament passages that speak of sacrifices on the Day of Atonement for the cleansing of leprosy and for the consecration of the priesthood that were offered outside the city. So, too, Jesus left the temple, left the city, left all the traditions and regulations, all of the priestly robes and fragrant incense, all of the rituals with which people are enamored to be taken “without the gate” to a hill called Calvary.

Hebrews 13:13

“Get out of the camp,” admonishes the author. “Leave the city. Leave religion. Leave traditionalism. Leave rules, rituals, incense, and candles. Leave it all.” Contrary to the present fascination with icons and old pictures of Jesus and the disciples, the call of the entire New Testament is to walk by faith and not by sight.

Hebrews 13:14

Like Abraham who searched for a city whose Builder and Maker is God, we don’t have a city here. Thus, we have no reason not to follow Jesus outside the city, outside the restrictions of religion all the way to Calvary.

Hebrews 13:15

“I don’t feel like praising the Lord,” some say, “because the traffic bugs me,” or, “because the dishes are getting to me.” Gang, those are the best times to praise Himfor then it’s a sacrifice of praise as you worship the Lord in spite of your own fleshly inclinations. I talked to a young man at church who said, “I don’t know what’s wrong. For several days I haven’t felt close to the Lord.” “That’s nothing,” I said. “I’ve gone months feeling distant from Him.” “You have?” he asked incredulously. “Yep.” “Doesn’t that freak you out?” “It used to,” I answered"until I understood that the Scriptures have much to say about ministering in season and out of season." You see, in my Christian walk, I find myself going through seasons. There’s springtimewhen, with new understandings and fresh growth, I sense the Lord’s presence in my heart. Springtime leads to summertimethose warm, wonderful days when the new growth bears fruit from which people glean. Summertime leads to fallwhen the winds blow and shake the leaves off my tree. Fall leads to winterwhen the fall winds give way to a cold, wintry, silence. I used to freak out in wintertime. Then I learned that if I am going to be a man who walks by faith and not by sight, I must not constantly monitor my feelings because feelings are fickle. The Lord allows you and me to go through regular seasons of wintertime, asking us, “Are you going to walk by the state of your emotionsor by the promises of My Word?” This has allowed me the privilege of being a minister of the gospel regardless of any tragedy or heartache in my own life. Truly, if I hadn’t learned the lessons of the winter season, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. But the good news is this: Winter doesn’t last forever. It gives way to spring. During worship, some are elated, caught up in an overwhelming sense of the Lord’s presence. And that’s good. Others say, “I’m here. But I don’t feel anything. However, I’m still going to lift my hands and my voice in a sacrifice of praise to the One who has done so much for me in the past, to the One whose touch I know I will feel again in the future.” And that, in some ways, is even better.

Hebrews 13:16

Not only is the expression of our love to the Lord sometimes a sacrifice, but the communication of encouragement can be a sacrifice as well. Have you ever witnessed the miracle of one of your kids thanking another of your kids? Doesn’t it just blow your mind? Truly, few things are more delightful. So, too, don’t forget to write that note of thanks to your sister in the Lord or to speak that word of encouragement to your brother in the Lord, because thereby our heavenly Father is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:17

There are leaders and mentors, pastors and teachers watching over us. And each must give an account before the Lord concerning their ministry to us.

Hebrews 13:20

The blood of Jesus has the ability to make us complete and whole. Truly, there is power in the blood. There is Power in the Blood A Topical Study of Heb_13:20-21 Driving Santa Cruz’s Highway 9 on my way home from a men’s retreat, my mind was flooded with memories of numerous family camping trips to Big Basina beautiful state park situated in the midst of the Santa Cruz mountains in California. As my thoughts traveled back to those family vacations, I pictured all six of us climbing into our VW Bugwith luggage and our German Shepherd, Sam, in tow. And I could hear my mom praying, as she did before every trip, asking the Lord to bless our time together, pleading the blood to cover our car as we drove. Sadly, the phrase “pleading the blood” is out of fashion in our day. And we are the poorer for it. But in the text before us, we see the power of the blood that can make us “perfect in every good work.” The phrase translated “make you perfect” is katartizo, a Greek word used in reference to the setting of a broken bone, to the mending of a fishing net, to the readying of a ship for a journey, and to the equipping of an army for battle. Thus, it is through the blood that the broken bones of our bodies, our relationships, and our fellowship are set right. It is through the blood that the holes are mended in the nets of our vocation and finances. It is through the blood that we journey on toward heaven. It is through the blood that we battle against the Enemy. Physically, relationally, vocationally, spiritually, and eternally we are made perfect not by studying, counseling, or seminars. We’re made perfect by one thing only: the blood of the everlasting covenant. The blood has been supplied. The question is, is it being applied? “Sure, I’d like my family to do well, my home to be blessed,” you say. “But how does it happen?” The Blood Supplied Leviticus 14 presents wonderful instruction concerning the blood as seen in the law of the leper. You see, throughout the Bible, leprosy served as an illustration of sin. Like sin, leprosy manifested itself insignificantly at firstjust a little spot under the skin. But it went on to spread so insidiously that the afflicted one would be cast out of the community. According to Leviticus 14, anyone healed of leprosy was to be brought before a priest outside the camp. If the priest found him healed, indeed, the former leper was instructed to bring two sparrows, cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop.

One of the birds was then killed in an earthen vessel. The other bird, along with the cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop, was dipped in the blood of the slain bird. Finally, the blood was also sprinkled seven times on the healed leper. The picture of redemption is absolutely perfect. Like the leper of Leviticus 14, we come to our great High Priest, Jesus Christ and follow Him “outside the camp.” Like the leper, the sacrifice our Savior made on our behalf consisted of the cedar wood of the Cross, the offering of His own Life, the scarlet of His blood, and the hyssop upon which He was offered drink (Joh_19:29). The earthenware vessel wherein the sparrow was killed speaks of humanity, while the released bird soaring to heaven speaks of deity. The blood sprinkled seven times speaks as much of completion as it does of the seven places from whence Jesus bled… from His forehead in the Garden of Gethsemane, from His back due to the flagellum, from His brow due to the crown of thorns, from His face as His beard was plucked, from His hands nailed to the Cross, from His feet nailed to the Cross, from His side due to the soldier’s spear. Seven times Jesus’ blood flowed, providing complete forgiveness for my sin, complete healing of my leprosy, and complete victory over the Enemy… In Revelation 12, we see a battle waged in heaven between the archangel Michael and the dragon, or Satan. Michael wins. The dragon is eventually cast out of Heaven. How? By the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony which says, And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.Rev_12:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,” Jesus prayed (Mat_6:10). How do we overcome the dragon, our accuser, the devil? The same way it’s done in heaven: Through the blood of the Lamb. The way to overcome the Enemy in your children, your marriage, and your home, as seen in Revelation 12, Leviticus 14, and here in Hebrews 13, is not by counseling, not by attending workshops, and not by establishing support groups. The Enemy is overcome by the bloodfor nothing else is powerful enough. You see, in the Garden of Eden, in giving Adam dominion over the earth (Gen_1:26), God, in effect, handed Adam the title deed to the planet. Adam, in turn, transferred ownership to Satan when he knowingly bought into Satan’s lie. That’s why Jesus calls Satan the prince of this world (Joh_12:31). That’s why there are wars, famine, and heartache. That’s why there is murder, disease, and death. These things are not God’s fault. They are the consequence of man’s rebellion. But God had a plan. “I’m going to buy back the world by sending My Son, the sparrow, the Lamb, to die and pay the price for the sin of Adam and all humanity,” He said. So He did. Pinned to the Cross, Jesus’ blood was shed as payment for our sin. Truly, the world has been purchased back by the blood of the Son on Calvary. Therefore, Satan’s days are numbered, and He will be dealt with in due season. Presently, however, he’s exercising squatter’s rights in this worldand possibly in your home. Suppose while I’m at church, someone moves into my house. Finding this guy sitting in my living room, I dejectedly head to the market, get a shopping cart, and start walking the streets. “What are you doing, Jon?” you would ask me. “I’m homeless,” I would say. “I went to church, and somebody moved into my house. I’m defeated. I’m discouraged.” “Let me get this straight,” you’d say. “Someone moved into the house you boughtand you just let him have it?” “Yeah,” I would answer. “I don’t know what else to do.” “Do you have a title deed to the house?” you’d ask. “Yes.” “Well, go get the authorities. Show them the title deed, and move back into your house. It’s yours.” The same thing happens spiritually. Satan has no authority, no right, no hold on you. All he can do is claim squatter’s rights and say, “This depression will never lift. This addiction will never leave. Your daughter’s going to blow it. Your son’s going to rebel. Divorce is inevitable.” And what do we do? We get our shopping carts and wander the streets in despair. Satan the squatter takes up residence by falsely accusing us in three areas. Of our past sin, he accuses us day and night, saying, “You’ve fallen in this area so many times. You’ll never make it.” But the way we overcome past sin is by the blood. “Wait a minute, Satan,” we must say, “I may have failed a billion times, but the blood of the Lamb is absolutely inexhaustible. You might accuse me night and day, but the blood of Jesus Christ covers me completely, for where sin abounds grace abounds even more (Rom_5:20). Concerning our present struggles, Satan cannot grasp, grip, or dominate any area to which the blood has been applied. I can choose to give in if I wish; I can succumb if I want. But in reality, the Enemy has no authority whatsoever because of the cleansing power of the blood. Regarding future salvation, I think of Noah, who, in construction of the ark, provided a place of salvation for his sons and their wives twenty years before his sons were even born. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be savedand thy house,” declared Paul (Act_16:31). Am I suggesting salvation is inherited? No, everyone must make his own decision. But, like Noah, I can provide a place in which Satan will not be able to seduce my son or my daughter into walking away from the Lord if I apply the blood to my house. How? I suggest three ways… The Blood Applied First, the blood is to be applied to our homes corporately. After being held in bondage for four hundred years, the children of Israel prayed to the Lord and He raised up a deliverer named Moses. “Thus saith the Lord,” he announced. “Let My people go.” But reluctant to do so, Pharaoh subjected the nation of Egypt to a series of plaguesthe last of which was the death of every firstborn son whose house was not marked with blood. How were the houses to be marked? Each household was to kill a lamb, dip the brushlike hyssop plant into the blood and mark the top, sides, and threshold of the doorthereby forming a picture of a cross. Houses so marked were “passed over” by the death angel (Exo_12:22-23). Why was the blood applied to the doorway? Because in that culture, the doorway was the most prominent part of the home. Entrances and exits were always made through the front door. Thus, the picture of a Cross was ever before them. So, too, all who enter and leave our homes should be cognizant of a redemptive environment withina place where the death angel is noticeably absent from the conversation and decor, from what we watch on TV and listen to on the radio. Second, the blood is to be applied to our bodies individually. In Lev_14:10-18, we see the remaining sequence of the law of the leper. That is, on the eighth day, a trespass offering was made in which some of the blood of the lamb slain was applied to the tip of the right ear, right thumb, and right big toe of the one who had been healed of leprosy. In other words, the blood was applied to the man’s hearing, to his activity, and to his direction. Oil was then applied to those same three places. “I want power to hear properly, to work effectively, to walk uprightly,” we say. Oil being symbolic of the Spirit, the power of the Spirit can flow only where the blood has first been applied. Thus, there are those who long for the empowering of the Spirit without realizing that they first need the cleansing of the blood. The blood has been supplied. The question is, will I apply it? Will I go into my son Benjamin’s room as he’s sleeping, kneel beside his bed, lay my hand upon him, and plead the blood over him? It’s powerful. It’s potent. And you can do it, Dad and Mom. Teenager, you can kneel by your bed, lift your hands to heaven, and say, “Lord, thank You that the blood cleanses me from past failings, that it thwarts the attack of the Enemy, and that it secures my salvation.” Finally, the blood is applied in Communion practically. “This is My blood shed for you,” Jesus said. “Do this in remembrance of Me” (see Luk_22:19). Every morning in the sanctuary at Applegate Christian Fellowship, people can come, bow the knee, and plead the blood over themselves and their families at the Lord’s table. It’s available. It’s supplied. But will it be applied? That’s the only question. Plead the blood, precious peopleand as you do, realize pleading the blood of the Lamb is not a magical incantation. It’s not “Open Sesame,” or “Abracadabra.” It’s not a phrase or a mantra. It’s understanding that the victory has already been won, that the price has been paid, that the work of the Cross is complete. Put your shopping cart away, saint, and reclaim your house. In Jesus’ Name.

Hebrews 13:22

The fact that the author calls his thirteen-chapter letter only “a few words” long makes him a man after my own heart!

Hebrews 13:23

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” Jesus said, “for theirs is the kingdom” (Mat_5:3). Who are the poor in spirit? People like you and me who realize that blessing can’t be based on our devotion or diligence, sincerity, or spirituality due to the fact that we have none. It’s gotta be grace because we’re sinners. Our motives are mixed. Our flesh gets in the way. The kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit because they don’t try to earn it. They just marvel at God’s goodness in opening the Way. So it is that I echo the author of this wonderful epistle and say, Grace be with you all! Amen.