Hebrews 13
Bible Passage: Hebrews 13
My teachers used to say STOP LOOK and LISTEN!
Now I find myself saying the same thing to children too.
Why do we have to stop and look before we listen?
I thought to myself… if I don’t stop what I am doing,
I won’t look up and see what the teacher might be showing,
And I won’t listen to the instructions that the teacher is saying.
So before I read this chapter I stopped what I was doing,
Because often I try to multi-task or become distracted otherwise.
I looked and looked again at the words that were in front of me.
Then I tried to listen for the teachings that I could understand.
After all this is the last chapter of the book of Hebrews,
And it’s just like a set of instructions—to listen or not… we can choose.
“Let brotherly love continue”.
Don’t forget the “strangers” and “prisoners” too.
It may be somebody we know or acquaint with or see mistreated,
and we ought to be there for them to care for them and show love to.
Honour marriage for true love belongs to a couple only,
And fornicators and adulterers God will judge accordingly.
There is no need to covet,
But to be content with all we have.
Food or clothing and financial security,
These God said not to worry about.
For God will take care of us,
And He will never leave us nor forsake us.
“Remember those who rule over you”.
Follow the true teachers of the word of God.
Don’t go following false teachers,
For they teach strange doctrines.
Remember that we are justified before God by His grace,
And we can have confidence in Him through Jesus Christ.
Consider the altar of sacrifice here.
Animals used to be offered on the altar back in the OT,
But Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for the atoning of our sins.
Back in the OT those who were rejected were sent out of camp,
Likewise Jesus was rejected by His people too.
If we choose to follow Him we will also face rejections too.
Let us continue to offer praises and thanksgiving to God,
With the fruit of our lips we can bring glory to Him.
Don’t forget to do good and to also share,
Because it pleases God to see us sacrificing for others.
Obey and submit to the leaders for they watch over us,
And pray for those who desire for us to live thus.
Through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
We are encouraged to do every good work,
That we may be made complete,
And that we please God always.
We are encouraged to bear this word of exhortation,
Which is written in few words as the author mentions.
Do you think you can follow all the instructions?
I thought there were a lot of instructions,
But the one thing that I took away from this chapter is that…
Though learning how to follow instructions can be difficult,
Obedience means doing what is asked without question,
Whether you like it or not… answer with submission.
Remember when the teacher said:
STOP LOOK and LISTEN.
Could we ever ask why?
We didn’t but we simply followed instructions.
Some things don’t have an answer,
But we can trust the intentions of a good teacher.
And usually the teacher stands at centre stage,
Then you would hear them say STOP LOOK and LISTEN.
Remember how Jesus was at centre stage at the beginning of Hebrews?
He is still at centre stage giving us instructions.
He is still at centre stage waiting for us to obey.
What will be our answer for Him today?
Choose at least one instruction that you can follow up today.
3 Comments
tasting goodness
The final three chapters of Hebrews highlighted three words always found in deeply seated in each Christian’s heart: faith, hope and love. A better faith. A hope in Jesus, the new covenant and a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And finally love. Like appleofHiseye said, *whew* there were a lot of instructions in the final chapter. Following the final warning/dangers to his recipients (Heb 12:14-29) the author seemingly has a load of reminders “remember” “keep” “obey”. They are reminders to us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love our church. Love of a husband and a wife. Love of our leaders. Not loving the world. The love of God. Love those who work for God. and to Love God.
In Heb 13:20-21, a benediction is written. But we normally expect benedictions to bring us prosperity, blessings and God’s abidance. This benediction is one of work and action: “equip you” “do His will” “working in us”. The author inspired by God writes a blessing for more work to be done. When we are blessed by God, all the more we should work for Him. And most importantly, our service and divine work to God truly is a blessing, it is a a grace from God, of which we are unworthy partakers. How blessed we are!
thanks appleofHiseye for the encouragement. I hope to obey God all the more in His instruction and service
biblereadingcompanion
Thanks appleofHiseye and tasting goodness for your sharing. This has brought about a very nice conclusion to my reading of Hebrews.
While there are many more lessons and mysteries of the Word of God in Hebrews that I must still discover… what is more apparent and important now is that God must always be at my centre stage and that I will STOP, LOOK and LISTEN to Him, obey Him and put His words into action in my life.
May God guide us all as we grow in faith!
PS
The significance of our faith is expressed beautifully in Hebrews 11:35…Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
Yes, the significance of our faith lies in the resurrection at the second coming of Lord Jesus and seeing Him face to face in eternity.
Hebrews 13:12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 1:1 …the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Lord Jesus came outside the gate of heaven into this world to sanctify His people.
Hebrews 13:13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
Hebrews 12:4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
1 Pet 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
1 Pet 1:17-19 And if you call on the Father who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of the lamb without blemish and without spot.
Hebrews 13:14 For we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.
John 14:2-3 “In My Father’s house are many mansions;…I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am ,there you may be also.”
We are outside the gate now. Persevere till completion. Judas Iscariot alas Almost’s destination is hell.