Exploring the Scripture
The final chapter of Hebrews reminds Christian disciples to put their faith into practice in their communities. Disciples must live their faith. Jesus is the model for living in a sacred community.
Everything begins with mutual love. Early Christian communities, like our own, sometimes were broken by conflict, power struggles, and misunderstandings. Only when a community is built on mutual love, can it withstand such stresses.
One early meaning of “love” is wishing for good in a person’s life, no matter the cost. That is the Christian love implied in Hebrews 13. Note, however, the first example of such love is not directed within the close community of followers, but rather showing hospitality to strangers. Hebrews affirms that one may be entertaining “angels without knowing it” (v. 2). Angels are messengers from God. We find earlier stories from the Hebrew scriptures of Yahweh appearing as a stranger in Genesis 18–19, Judges 6:11–24, and Judges 13:3–23. Both unknown travelers and Christian disciples from other communities were worthy of compassionate hospitality.
An extended version of hospitality was to visit people suffering from imprisonment or mistreatment. “Remember those who are in prison…those who are being tortured…” (v. 3) as if it were happening to you. Remembering them would include providing food and resources—things not provided by ancient prison houses. Encouragement and emotional support also would be necessary parts of pastoral care.
Advice for family life includes staying faithful to the marriage vows and avoiding greed and miserliness. Being content with a lifestyle of simplicity depends on trust in God. Disciples are encouraged to remember their past and present leaders: “those who spoke the word of God to you” (v. 7). Their lives can be models for living according to gospel principles and making faith a reality.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (v. 8). Constancy in faith and living discipleship can be difficult. Keeping centered on Christ instead of ourselves can stabilize our emotions and thoughts during a crisis. Hebrews mentions strange teachings and dietary laws as distractions that can divert Jewish disciples from the central focus on Christ. Many distractions do the same thing in our day and culture.
A life centered on Christ is a life of gratitude. The “sacrifice of praise” (v. 15) refers to the ancient sacrifice of thanksgiving. For Christians, the sacrifice is not one of the burnt offerings, as dictated by ancient laws, but takes three other forms: 1) praise and thanksgiving to God; 2) doing good to others; and 3) generosity.
A “sacrifice of praise” is more than just praising God. It is worship—joyful, heartfelt, and filled with God’s presence. At its best, worship transforms the worshipers and deepens their relationship with God. The other two forms of “sacrifice” (doing good to others and generosity) echo Hebrew scriptures that stress God’s love of compassion and mercy over burnt offerings. Hearers of this text would have been familiar with Hosea 6:6, Amos 5:23, and Micah 6:6–8.
Now, as then, the invitation is “to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (v. 16). Christ calls us to follow, sharing in mutual love, joyful worship, and sincere ministry that transforms lives and empowers disciples.
Project Zion Podcast
Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- Community, generosity, and ministry begin with mutual love.
- We express love through hospitality to strangers, pastoral care for prisoners, faithfulness in marriage, and a lifestyle of gratitude.
- Joyful and heartfelt worship can transform and empower disciples and seekers.
- Jesus Christ is steadfast, constant, and reliable today, tomorrow, and always.
Questions to Consider
- When have you entertained an angel without recognizing it?
- What does a lifestyle of gratitude and praise look like in today’s world? How difficult is it to keep your life free from the love of money?
- When have you been transformed through worship? What allowed that to happen?