Hebrews as Muse -- Sacrifice of Praise -- Hebrews 13
G.K. Chesterton, the British Christian author and apologist of the late 19th and early 20th century, once said, “A dead thing can float with the stream, but only a living thing can swim against it.” The Chosen series about Jesus starts each episode with a fish changing direction and swimming against the stream. As we close out the book of Hebrews with the 13th chapter, our desire should be to realize that although life can be tough, the going hard at times, our reward awaits us if we will just stay focused on Jesus and stay faithful to his way. “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name” (13:15). As Chesterton reflected, alive in Christ, we can swim against the current of sin and culture. That’s not easy, but as we honestly face the spiritual battles of this world, it is needed, and we gain strength from Jesus as we offer a sacrifice of praise. He is worthy.
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware” (13:2). What is he saying? Entertained angels unaware, when has that happened? Certainly, we don’t know all that goes on as God’s agents perform acts on his behalf and for our benefit in this world, but the author is most likely referring to the strangers who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18. Abraham recognized they were from the Lord and prepared a great feast for them. While there they reassure Abraham (and Sarah as she listens from the tent) that they will have a child in their old age in about a year. That’s a positive thing. But they also look toward Sodom and Gomorrah, knowing the judgment that is about to come on them because of their sin. Angels can be messengers of good news, or as needed, messengers of bad news that should send us a warning.
Often our leaders provide influence, for good or for bad, as we live our daily lives. And as the book of Hebrews comes to a close, we are encouraged to “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (13:7). Good leaders who faithfully communicate God’s word and live humbly before him need our support and we need to follow their lead. In that light he also says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (13:17). Much of the grief and problems associated with the church through the ages has been due to bad leaders, who disregard God’s word and who do not live humble lives before the Lord, but instead live selfishly and for sordid gain.
Our leaders, and each of us, need to allow Jesus to truly be the one leading. The Hebrews author slips in a word about marriage in the midst of his closing, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (13:4). Our culture is struggling with this, marriage itself becoming an option, sexual immorality becoming common. With the family as the most basic unit of functioning within society, to abandon God’s ways in this area comes with severe consequences. It’s one of the things we need to get right as we offer a sacrifice of praise.
Finally, we need to realize that the God we serve, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the same today as he has always been. He asks for a faith that obeys him. We are unable to earn anything. We continue to be imperfect, but grace ushers forth from faithfulness. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13:8). And he is the only way to salvation and heaven (John 14:6).
Cross Point: “May the God of peace who brought from the dead our Lord Jesus…equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working that which is pleasing in his sight” (13:20-21). A sacrifice of praise.
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware” (13:2). What is he saying? Entertained angels unaware, when has that happened? Certainly, we don’t know all that goes on as God’s agents perform acts on his behalf and for our benefit in this world, but the author is most likely referring to the strangers who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18. Abraham recognized they were from the Lord and prepared a great feast for them. While there they reassure Abraham (and Sarah as she listens from the tent) that they will have a child in their old age in about a year. That’s a positive thing. But they also look toward Sodom and Gomorrah, knowing the judgment that is about to come on them because of their sin. Angels can be messengers of good news, or as needed, messengers of bad news that should send us a warning.
Often our leaders provide influence, for good or for bad, as we live our daily lives. And as the book of Hebrews comes to a close, we are encouraged to “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (13:7). Good leaders who faithfully communicate God’s word and live humbly before him need our support and we need to follow their lead. In that light he also says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (13:17). Much of the grief and problems associated with the church through the ages has been due to bad leaders, who disregard God’s word and who do not live humble lives before the Lord, but instead live selfishly and for sordid gain.
Our leaders, and each of us, need to allow Jesus to truly be the one leading. The Hebrews author slips in a word about marriage in the midst of his closing, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (13:4). Our culture is struggling with this, marriage itself becoming an option, sexual immorality becoming common. With the family as the most basic unit of functioning within society, to abandon God’s ways in this area comes with severe consequences. It’s one of the things we need to get right as we offer a sacrifice of praise.
Finally, we need to realize that the God we serve, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the same today as he has always been. He asks for a faith that obeys him. We are unable to earn anything. We continue to be imperfect, but grace ushers forth from faithfulness. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13:8). And he is the only way to salvation and heaven (John 14:6).
Cross Point: “May the God of peace who brought from the dead our Lord Jesus…equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working that which is pleasing in his sight” (13:20-21). A sacrifice of praise.