This final chapter contains a series of reminders that answer the question, “How now shall we live?” In light of all that God has done for us (the fact that He gave His only begotten Son to be our high priest and the sacrifice for our sin, the hope that there is a heavenly home prepared for us, the revelation that eternal atonement has been made, and the reality that our God is a consuming fire and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever) we live differently in this world.
We show hospitality to strangers. We care for those in prison. We honor marriage and remain sexually pure. We resist greed and learn to be content. We remember and submit to our leaders in Christ. We pay attention to our doctrine, so we won’t be tempted to put our hope in the wrong things. We pray.
In the end of all of this, the author of this book is urging us to put our confidence in Jesus, and not in ourselves or the things of this world.
Verse 5 points us back to God’s promise in Joshua 1, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is continually with you to bless, defend and keep you.
Verse 6 takes us back to Psalm 118:6, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Our confidence is not focused on our ability to protect ourselves, but on the Lord’s promises to us! He is the one who is mighty to save and, above that, loves us as His children!
Verse 8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” God is not fickle and will not change His mind, flip-flopping on whether He loves us or not. He is constant and loves us consistently, therefore we can live every day know He is there for us.
Verse 10 tells us that our “altar” is superior to any other “altar” that has provided atonement for sin. Jesus’ death and resurrection alone are sufficient for eternal salvation, and we are reminded that it is worth being mistreated (bearing reproach) because of this salvation.
Verse 14 turns our eyes heavenward saying, “. . . here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” We do not make this city come, but we do pray that it comes to us as the Holy Spirit gives us grace to believe God’s Word and leads us to live godly lives in this world and in eternity. We live for what will last, and that is bound up in God’s promises for us.
Finally, we receive a “Benediction” a good word, or blessing, spoken over us. Verses 20-21 wrap this book up focusing us on God’s will and work in Jesus to give us salvation. Our God is the God of peace, that is, shalom – wholeness, wellness, and unity with God Himself. He provided that peace in Jesus’ death and resurrection, giving Him as our shepherd to lead us and to save us by His blood. He equips us for every good thing we do, and He works in us, “that which is well pleasing in His sight.”
What a beautiful blessing to help us to, “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”
Father, keep my focus on Jesus and help me live in Your grace and power every day. Amen.
We show hospitality to strangers. We care for those in prison. We honor marriage and remain sexually pure. We resist greed and learn to be content. We remember and submit to our leaders in Christ. We pay attention to our doctrine, so we won’t be tempted to put our hope in the wrong things. We pray.
In the end of all of this, the author of this book is urging us to put our confidence in Jesus, and not in ourselves or the things of this world.
Verse 5 points us back to God’s promise in Joshua 1, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is continually with you to bless, defend and keep you.
Verse 6 takes us back to Psalm 118:6, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Our confidence is not focused on our ability to protect ourselves, but on the Lord’s promises to us! He is the one who is mighty to save and, above that, loves us as His children!
Verse 8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” God is not fickle and will not change His mind, flip-flopping on whether He loves us or not. He is constant and loves us consistently, therefore we can live every day know He is there for us.
Verse 10 tells us that our “altar” is superior to any other “altar” that has provided atonement for sin. Jesus’ death and resurrection alone are sufficient for eternal salvation, and we are reminded that it is worth being mistreated (bearing reproach) because of this salvation.
Verse 14 turns our eyes heavenward saying, “. . . here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” We do not make this city come, but we do pray that it comes to us as the Holy Spirit gives us grace to believe God’s Word and leads us to live godly lives in this world and in eternity. We live for what will last, and that is bound up in God’s promises for us.
Finally, we receive a “Benediction” a good word, or blessing, spoken over us. Verses 20-21 wrap this book up focusing us on God’s will and work in Jesus to give us salvation. Our God is the God of peace, that is, shalom – wholeness, wellness, and unity with God Himself. He provided that peace in Jesus’ death and resurrection, giving Him as our shepherd to lead us and to save us by His blood. He equips us for every good thing we do, and He works in us, “that which is well pleasing in His sight.”
What a beautiful blessing to help us to, “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”
Father, keep my focus on Jesus and help me live in Your grace and power every day. Amen.
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