Bridget A. Thomas
Every day is a gift!
Hebrews 13
We have reached the final chapter in the book of Hebrews. You can read it in your own Bible or click here.
Much of this chapter reminds us to be other-focused. In a world where many people are focused on themselves, we have a calling and ample opportunities to think about others, spread love, pray for those in need, help those who are struggling, and serve others.
The verses that start this chapter are a reminder to walk in love. In John 13:34-35, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
As brothers and sisters in Jesus, loving one another should be part of our lives. And that is what the author of Hebrews starts off this chapter with as well. The first verse is a reminder to “let brotherly love continue.”
The second verse might be one you’ve heard before. It says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” There are a handful of stories in the Old Testament when someone “entertained angels unawares.” This verse is a beautiful reminder to show hospitality, even to strangers. Our kindness has the ability to spread further than we can imagine.
Verse 3 is a good reminder to remember those in prison and those who are mistreated. In our culture today we, too, have many opportunities to remember those in prison and those being mistreated. Praise God for those who make prisons a mission field and use the opportunity to lead the inmates to Jesus. The inmates and those who witness to them could use our prayers. All across the world, and even in our own backyards, there are also those who are mistreated and could use our prayers. From missionaries to children who are trafficked, we have so many people we can be praying for.
Verse 4 focuses on honoring marriage and keeping the marriage relationship pure, avoiding sexual immorality and adultery. In Ephesians 5, marriage is described as a picture of Christ and His church. Just as our relationship with Jesus should be of the utmost importance to us, we should also honor our marriages and remain faithful to our spouses.
Verses 5-6 say:
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
In verse 5 the author is referencing Deuteronomy 31:6 which says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Emphasis added)
And in verse 6 he is referencing Psalm 118:6-7 which says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.”
There’s much we can learn from these verses. It can be easy to look to money as our security. And it can be easy to worry about lack of money and how we will get by. But the author reminds us to “be content.” And he doesn’t just leave us there with those two words. He also helps us to see how it’s possible to be content – the Lord will never leave us or forsake us, the Lord is our helper, we need not fear. When we focus on gratitude, and all the ways the Lord provides for us, this helps us to find true contentment.
In verse 7, the reader is told to “remember” their leaders, particularly “those who spoke to you the word of God.”
“The command to ‘remember’ might seem peculiar to us at first. We would expect the author to encourage his readers to honor, respect, or greet their leaders, but why the call to ‘remember’ them? It might have something to do with the martyrdom that was taking place at the time the letter was written. When the writer calls his readers to remember, it’s very possible he is referring to leaders who had been killed for their faith.” [1]
Verse 8 is another verse that might be familiar – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Jesus is our anchor in a world where everything is constantly changing and shifting. We can always rely on Him and turn to Him. When different people come and go in our lives – He is there. When the sand beneath our feet shifts unexpectedly – He’s as solid as a rock. When we feel like we’re at the end of our rope – He is pulling us up.
In verse 9 the author mentions a concern about food in relation to strange teachings. There were some people that were teaching they needed to keep the ceremonial traditions from the Old Testament, which included not eating certain foods. But the author reminds them that “it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods.” We are not saved by the things we do or don’t do. Our routines and habits won’t earn us grace. Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is what brings grace. And He works in our hearts to sanctify us throughout our journey.
In verses 10–14, the author compares how the bodies of sacrificial animals were burned outside the camp, and with how Jesus also suffered outside the city gate. As His disciples, we are called to follow Him, and sometimes that means being an outsider and bearing the disgrace that comes with following Jesus. In this world, we might feel like outsiders all too often. But the author reminds us that this world is not our permanent home. We have a wonderful heavenly home to look forward to!
Verses 15-16 are a beautiful reminder: “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
“As seen throughout the book of Hebrews, sacrifices were extremely important under the Old Covenant. Under the New Covenant, God desires the praise and thanksgiving of His people rather than offerings of animals or grain. Yet the sacrifices of praise coming from the lips of God’s people will only please Him when accompanied by loving action.” [2]
Verse 17 reminds us to obey and submit to our spiritual leaders. This does not mean following leaders blindly or obeying them when they ask us to do something contrary to God’s Word. The author is referring to church leaders, including pastors, who have the challenging responsibility of watching over the souls of their congregation and helping believers grow in their faith. They will one day give an account to God for how they have carried out this responsibility. The people within a church can help make their leaders’ work a joy, or they can make it a burden. Let us strive to be an encouragement to our spiritual leaders as we grow together in our faith.
In verses 18-19 we see the tone shift to a more personal approach. The author recognizes the power of prayer and asks for the readers’ prayers. This is another good reminder to pray for our pastors and spiritual leaders. They are human beings, just like we are. And they need our prayers and support.
Verses 20-21 hold a lovely benediction:
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen
There are several key points in this short prayer:
Now may the God of peace – The author points out that our God is “the God of peace.” We can be confident in this truth, thanks to Jesus.
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus – The author also mentions Jesus’s resurrection. This is key in our faith. While it’s important to remember that Jesus died for us, it’s just as important to remember His resurrection, through which He defeated death.
the great shepherd of the sheep – I really love the reference to Jesus as “the great shepherd of the sheep.” As the Good Shepherd, Jesus is continually caring for us, watching over us, protecting us, guiding us, and blessing us. His care for us is immeasurable.
by the blood of the eternal covenant – The author also noted “the blood of the eternal covenant.” This was another way to emphasize the superiority of the New Covenant.
equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight – In this prayer, the author asks God to equip his readers with everything they need to do His will and to work in them what is pleasing to Him.
through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen – But how does this happen? How are the readers (and us) equipped to do God’s will? The answer is found at the end of this verse: through Jesus Christ! He is the One who equips us, works in us, and enables us to live in a way that pleases God. He is everything to us, providing all we need for this life and beyond.
Final greetings are shared in the last several verses. The author calls this epistle a “word of exhortation,” and it definitely was that! Throughout this letter, he encouraged the readers to remain firm in their faith and to persevere in following Jesus. The author mentions that Timothy has been released, although we are not told why he was imprisoned. It is possible that his imprisonment was related to his faith and his work in spreading the gospel. The author also sends greetings to the leaders and all the saints. And he shares greetings from those in Italy as well.
After spending much of this epistle showing how Jesus is superior to the Old Covenant, the author brings Hebrews to a close by encouraging readers to live in ways that honors Him. In this final chapter, we are reminded to walk in love by caring for others, praying for those in need, and doing good. We are encouraged to live with contentment and gratitude, trusting the Lord to provide for us and remembering that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Our hearts are strengthened by His grace, and even when following Him means facing rejection, we can remain faithful and continually offer Him a sacrifice of praise. What a powerful reminder that no matter what we face, Jesus is worthy of our trust, our obedience, and our praise!
We covered a lot over the past 13 weeks. Each week we have seen Jesus’s own words ring true, when He said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the way and there is no other way.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I will leave you with the final words from the book of Hebrews: “Grace be with all of you.”
[1] Mohler, R. Albert, Jr. Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017.
[2] MacArthur, John. Hebrews: Christ: Perfect Sacrifice, Perfect Priest (MacArthur Bible Studies). Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2007.
Unless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
