Hebrews 13

We made it,

I'll have to look back at when I started this study in Hebrews...but I'm sure it has been longer than expected.  I have learned a lot about myself during this study.  Much from the text, indeed, but also about my reliance on 'routine'.  I had things all worked out and fit in and arranged...until life started happening.  All my 'nice little life' needed was a little nudge in a couple areas and I was out of sync.  I will spare you all the details.  But let me just say that the message I (finally) heard from the Lord was "can you walk with Me in the midst of the disruptions?"  It changed my focus from praying the disruptions away, to walking with Him through them.  Duh.

I think my routine was honoring to Him; I was studying and growing and walking with Him.  But life will not always offer me a nice little routine on a cheese tray (I've lived in Wisconsin too long...).  I still have to walk with Him when there is no routine in sight.

So, that said, here is the study for Hebrews 13.  The thematic outlines have been funny the past few chapters (not 'ha ha' funny, but 'are you sure?' funny).  Chapter 11 had one section, then chapter 12 had three!  Well, it turns out that we're going to end the letter with three as well.  The outline is built on the 'R' of "SON IS MEDIATOR";

• Right conduct in the body (1-7)
  
• Render praise to God (8-16)
  
• Respect your leaders (17-25)
  

The  memory passages for each section are:

• Right conduct in the body
  Hebrews 13:1 (ESV)
  1Let brotherly love continue.
  
  
• Render praise to God
  Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)
  15Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
  
  
• Respect your leaders
  Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
  17Obey 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.
  

Brief Commentary

The first thematic section, Right Conduct in the Body (1-7), reads more like a smattering of individual thoughts on five different areas of life.

• Hospitality to travelers
• Ministry to those in prison
• Marital purity
• Financial contentment
• Treatment of leaders

Just looking at this list, I see a common thread is stated in verse 1; 'Let brotherly love continue'.  We are to have love for traveling strangers, those in prison, our spouse, the Giver of financial blessings (not the things themselves), and those set among us to lead. The writer is giving us examples of how to live out the command of Christ:

John 13:35 (ESV)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

The second thematic section, Render Praise to God (8-16), seems to turn the focus to our vertical relationship to God.  The writer begins with this bold proclamation:

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

This eternality includes Christ's teaching, ministry, and worthiness.  We are to hold fast to the free gift of grace that He offers, not to be led astray by strange teachings.  We are to seek the 'city that is to come' (14) because Christ has gone ahead and made the way for us as our High Priest.  We are to continually offer Him the praise He is due by honoring His name and loving each other. 

The final section, Respect Your Leaders (17-25), contains the charge to obey and respect the leaders of the church along with the writer's benediction and personal greetings.  The readers are to obey and submit to their leaders because;

1. the leaders are keeping watch over their souls
2. the leaders have to give an account for their leadership
3. the followers will be better led by empowered leaders
   

 Those words, obey and submit, are not very popular these days; nor is having to 'give an account' for that matter.  The first two reasons are true and critically important.  But in case someone needed one more bit of motivation, the writer appeals to common sense; 'if you treat your leaders well, they will be better leaders'.  Then the writer, seemingly including himself as a leader, humbly asks for prayer.  He assures the readers that they (their leaders) have a clear conscience and desire to act honorably.  And the writer longs to be restored to the people he is writing to.

The two-verse benediction reviews some of the main themes of Hebrews; the work of Christ on our behalf, His role as shepherd and High Priest, His mediation of the new covenant, and His enabling us with faith and strength to follow Him in a way that pleases Him. 

How does this affect my worship?
Hebrews 13:15 is on 'the list' of my all-time favorite worship verses.  It paints such a vivid picture of worship; 'the fruit of our lips'.  Our life in Christ will bear all kinds of fruit in His kingdom including our praise and worship of Him.  The thing about this translation is that I'm not thrilled with 'acknowledge' as a rendering.  Other translations render it 'confess His name', or 'give thanks to His name'.  Acknowledge (in its modern usage) sounds too casual...like waving at someone as you pass them in the car.  I want the fruit of my lips to honor Christ continually. 

How does this affect my discipleship?
Once again I, as a disciple-maker, am warned about the dangers of false teaching.  New or young believers can easily be influenced by strange teachings and false doctrines.  As a discipler, I must keep my eyes open for such infiltrations (through the disciple's language and questions).  It is one more way in which the leaders will be held accountable, and must be taken seriously.

Following Him,

Ethan