Hebrews 13

The author of Hebrews closes with final exhortations for the community of believers to keep going on to perfection in Jesus. He crowns this with one of the most beautiful benedictions in the Bible.

In Hebrews the author has painted a stunning portrait of Jesus. He has helped us see that the Old Testament points to Jesus. The initial work of redemption begun by God in the Old Covenant was a beginning but was not complete. The OT scriptures point to the New Covenant, the future reality of God’s great act of salvation in Jesus. Finally, in Jesus, the issue of sin and death was dealt with for all time.

Hebrews offers Christ Jesus as a very present help in time of need. Hebrews offers Christ Jesus because he has inaugurated the New Covenant relationship between God and humans. Hebrews offers Christ Jesus because he is the final sacrifice. Jesus has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. He lived our life, he died our death and he lives now to make intercession for us.

In this portrait of Jesus the author invites us to partake of the sacrament of Holy Communion with a new understanding of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (4:16)

In this portrait of Jesus we are encouraged to gladly follow Jesus wherever he leads us. “Let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2 Good News Translation)

Now may the God of peace—

who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,

the great Shepherd of the sheep,

and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—

may he equip you with all you need

for doing his will.

May he produce in you,

through the power of Jesus Christ,

every good thing that is pleasing to him.

All glory to him forever and ever!

Amen.

Hebrews 13: 20-21

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

1-Mar-12      John 1:1-18