Welcome back to Daily Bread. Paul shares some closing thoughts with the
Hebrews in this last chapter of his letter, once again encouraging them with
love to remain strong in faith and to be alert. He gives a little summary of
important things to remember.
Let brotherly love continue.
Don’t forget to entertain strangers,
because some people have entertained
angels
without being aware of it.
Wouldn’t it be a pleasant world if everyone were treated as if they might
be an angel?
Remember those that are in bonds,
as bound with them,
and those which suffer affliction,
as if it were you, because you are united as one in the
body of Christ.
Marriage is honorable in all,
and the bed is undefiled,
but God will judge whoremongers and adulterers.
Let your lifestyle be without covetousness,
and be content with the things that you have,
for the Lord has said, I will never leave thee or forsake
thee.
So that we may with confidence say,
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what any man can do to me.
Psalms 27:1
Remember them which have the rule over you (your
shepherds),
who have taught you the Word of God.
Follow their Faith, listening to all that they say.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Don’t be fooled by different and strange teachings.
It is a good thing that the heart be established with
Grace,
not with food, which has not helped anyone.
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which
serve the tabernacle.
For the bodies of those beasts,
whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high
priest for sin,
are burned outside the camp.
So Jesus also, that He might cleanse the people with His
own blood,
suffered outside the gate (city).
Let us go forth therefore unto Him outside the camp,
bearing His shame.
Paul is explaining the Jewish tradition of sin offerings and sacrifices,
and comparing them to the sacrifice of our Savior. Grace is forgiveness, not
flesh. Again, as he recaps what he’s written several times before, it’s the
spiritual things, the invisible things, the things of faith that matter, not
earthly, temporal, carnal things. The same goes for our home in heaven that
we await, while we reside temporarily here on earth.
For here we have no permanent city,
but we seek one to come.
By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to
God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.
.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit
yourselves,
for they watch out for your souls, as they that must give
account,
that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that
is unprofitable for you.
Pray for us, for we believe we have a good conscience
(awareness),
in all things, willing to live honestly.
But I urge you rather to do this so that I may return to
visit you the sooner.
Now the God of peace,
that brought our Lord Jesus, again from the dead,
that Great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
make you perfect (complete) in every good work to do His
will,
working in you, that which is well pleasing in His sight,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
And I urge you, brethren, bear with my words of warning,
for I have written a letter to you in few words.
Know that our brother Timothy is set free,
with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Greet all them that have the rule over you,
and all the saints.
They of Italy salute you.
Grace be with you all.
Amen.
Most of this entire letter from Paul was spent comparing the Old
Testament to the New Testament. Remember that a great majority of the things
that happened in the Old Testament were shadows of things to come. Paul
focused especially on Jesus as the High Priest of our faith in this letter
to show the Hebrews that it couldn’t be more plain to see, that Christ Jesus
truly is the Messiah and that they wouldn’t be giving up anything, but
rather gaining everything by trading up the Old Testament for the New
Testament.
Congratulations for completing this study of The Epistle to the Hebrews.
If you’re studying the New Testament in order, you’ve now completed the
study of all of Paul’s fourteen letters and next time we’ll be opening up a
letter from James, so hurry on back, and we’ll continue our journey through
The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, right here at Daily
Bread. God Bless.
