Sermon Notes

13 [7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.] 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food, which have not benefited those who observe them. 10 We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing, for that would be harmful to you.18 Pray for us; we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you very soon.
Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,21 make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, as he works among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever. Amen.
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, NRSVue)

13 [7-8 Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.] 9 Don’t be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products named after Christ don’t seem to do much for those who buy them.
10-12 The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot. In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. It’s the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates—that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people.13-15 So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. 16 Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets. 17 Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them? 18-21 Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon. May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please him, Make us into what gives him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always! Oh, yes, yes, yes. (The Message, MSG)

In the introduction to his commentary on Hebrews, Thomas Long makes a striking observation about the 1st century community to which this writing is addressed. Long says:
“They are tired—tired of serving the world, tired of worship, tired of Christian education, tired of being peculiar and whispered about in society, tired of the spiritual struggle, tired of trying to keep their prayer life going, tired even of Jesus. Their hands droop and their knees are weak (12:12), attendance is down at church (10:25), and they are losing confidence. The threat to this congregation is not that they are charging off in the wrong direction; they do not have enough energy to charge off anywhere. The threat here is that, worn down and worn out, they will drop their end of the rope and drift away. Tired of walking the walk, many of them are considering taking a walk, leaving the community and falling away from the faith.”
Doesn’t that sound just like many contemporary Christians and the 21st century Black Church? Worn down and worn out by lackluster worship attendance and fellowship since the Covid-19 pandemic; political, social, economic, and racial unrest due to the rise of a racist, authoritarian President; and the mockery of Christendom by right- wing conservative evangelical Christian Nationalism, we are just tired! And if we are truthful, some of us are ready to throw in the towel.
However, into this morass of physical and spiritual exhaustion, the writer of Hebrews pens a word of encouragement to 1st century Hebrews that also benefits 21st century believers. The writer preaches that we should “keep on keeping on” because God is yet “putting all things together” through Jesus. The writer’s language is deeply theological and often times hard to understand. However, it is aimed at getting the Hebrews to return to a place of thoughtful, critical, consideration of how God decisively acted in the world through Jesus. In the face of suffering, persecution, doubt, depression, confusion, and exhaustion, the writer invites Christians to think through—not feel through—how God is renewing the world through a resurrected Jesus Christ. Think about that… Hallelujah, Amen!

The Letter to the Hebrews has traditionally been considered to be one of Paul’s letters. However, its lack of attribution, elevated language/writing style, and silence on the tensions between Jews and Greeks in the early Church indicates the letter was not written by Paul. Contemporary biblical scholars are nearly uniform in their rejection of Paul’s authorship. Although the letter is anonymous, Barnabas, Priscilla, Apollos, and Stephen have all been proposed as potential writers. At some point in early Christian history, Hebrews began circulating with Paul’s letters, as attested by a 3rd century manuscript of the letters known as the Chester Beatty Biblical Papyrus II, where it follows Romans. In this manuscript, the title is listed as “To the Hebrews.” Because ancient scribes bound numerous writings together into a single collection, they would add titles to indicate the beginning of a new text.
Because Hebrews is mentioned by Clement of Rome in CE 96, and the letter fails to mention the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in CE 70—it references worship practices that are still being carried out in the temple—Hebrews was probably written around CE 69. Also, an early copy of the book found in Rome seems to indicate its first recipients were inhabitants of that city. Further, because chapter 13 challenges the Hebrews to “go outside the gate” to endure persecution as Christ did, it is clear these Christians were suffering persecution from the Roman Empire. Because Hebrews 13:24 mentions Italian believers and 1 Clement—written by Clement of Rome—is the first text to make a reference to Hebrews, the geographical context is likely Rome.
With regard to literary genre, Hebrews does not follow the characteristics of a letter. There is no greeting or opening prayer and there is no discernable pastoral issue or crisis the writer addresses. Instead, 13:22 indicates it is a highly developed “word of exhortation,” that was written to encourage these Christians to remain steadfast in their confession of Jesus Christ instead of backsliding into non-messianic Judaism because of difficult times and current persecutions. Some scholars suggest Hebrews was written as a synagogue sermon for the Ninth of Av (the Jewish holy day that commemorates the destruction of the two Jerusalem Temples), because Exodus 20 and Jeremiah 31, figure prominently in Ninth of Av observances and in Hebrews.
Before this week’s lesson text (13:9-21) the writer has discussed the supremacy of Jesus Christ, taught about the better covenant that has been established in Jesus Christ, and challenged the Hebrews to endure persecution through faithful action and perseverance like Jesus Christ. For the writer of Hebrews, the life of a Christian is firmly rooted in faithfully emulating the person, teachings, and sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. Anything less fails to live up to the testimony of the heroes of faith mentioned in chapters 11 and 12. In chapter 13, the writer concludes this marathon sermon with final instructions concerning hospitality (verses 1-2), prison ministry (verse 3), sex and money (verses 4-6) before turning to matters of worship and service (verses 7-19) and a benediction (20-21).

[7-8 Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.] 9 Don’t be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products named after Christ don’t seem to do much for those who buy them.
In the opening verses of the lesson text, the writer urges the Hebrews to avoid getting caught up in strange or improper teachings. Without question, verse 9 cannot be sufficiently interpreted without the preceding verses 7-8. The writer is saying the Hebrews should remember the teaching that their pastoral leaders shared when they gave them the gospel, or the Word of God. The gospel (euangelion in Greek) is that Jesus lived, preached, taught, ministered, loved and was crucified by Roman imperialism on the cross as the ultimate mediator for humanity. God resurrected him from the dead, and now he is both the author and the finisher of our faith. Further, the salvation that Jesus wrought on the cross is freely given by God’s grace. That is the gospel. Jesus, and his Truth, does not change. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
However, while it is difficult to know exactly what is going on in this congregation, we can discern that some members of this congregation are getting off track with “strange teaching” that contradicts the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The pastoral leaders must correct this errant thinking. Some of the Hebrews are confusing grace with religious regulations in regards to eating food. The writer reminds them that in the Christian community people, grace not religious regulations are “food” for the soul and practical living.
10-12 The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot. In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. It’s the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates—that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people.
In verses 10-12, the writer shares their view on how the whole attempt to turn Christianity into a rules-based ritualistic religion is backsliding into the law and turning away from the new way that Christ makes entry into the heavenly sanctuary possible.
Previously, in the old Jewish system of sacrifices, the priests would have to kill animals outside of the camp and then bring the blood back into the camp as a sacrifice for sin. This had to be done on a daily basis. without end. However, with Jesus’ death on the cross—a death that occurred outside the camp on Golgotha’s hill—he become the final sacrifice that never loses its power or efficacy. “It reaches to the highest mountain and it flows to the lowest valley,” once and for all. The Hebrews who wanted to return to the old system of the law and animal sacrifices were completely missing out on the liberty that Christ brings.
For the writer of Hebrews, the remedy for some of the congregation wanting to return to the “old ways” or “how we used to do things,” is in embracing Jesus’ crucifixion as the new place of sacrifice. This altar— the bloodied cross outside the camp or city gates—cannot be exploited by those insiders who seek to keep this salvation for themselves and keep outsiders out. The blood cleanses everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, sex, gender, or socio-economic status equally.
13-15 So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. 16 Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
In verses 13-16 the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that the sacrifice that God requires from Christians occurs outside the camp—outside the safe walls of the faith community. If Jesus offered his body to be broken, bloodied, and crucified as a sacrifice outside the camp, what is essentially in the public square, then we are expected to also offer our bodies as sacrifices outside the camp.
The notion of “outside of the camp” is problematic to the Hebrews who are tired of being persecuted, harassed, and targeted in the public square, or in the court of public opinion. The writer ramps up the sermon, as they say, “this insider world is not our home!” The work is outside the gates with Jesus. It is in public places and public spaces where we can make sacrifices of praise with our lips singing God’s praises and worshipping with abandon, confessing God’s kin-dom is nigh and Jesus is Lord, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, helping the needy, visiting the sick and imprisoned. These are sacrifices of praise; sacrifices that are sang and lived with our bodies out loud and in the open.
17 Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them? 18-19 Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.
In verses 17, the writer again asks the Hebrews to listen to the instruction of their pastoral leaders because they are attentive to the lives and needs of the congregation. They serve, work, and lead under the unction of God’s spirit and they only want the best for the faith community. Importantly, the writer implores the congregation to contribute to the things that make pastoral work a joy, not a burden. In verses 18-19, the pastoral writer offers a prayer request: that the congregation prays for traveling mercies and God’s mercy as they live out their call. They also ask that God bring them all back together again, soon.
20-21 May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please him, Make us into what gives him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always! Oh, yes, yes, yes.
In the final two verses of the lesson text, the writer offers a benediction that reintroduces themes from the entire letter/sermon of Hebrews:
The God of Pulling All Things Together (13:20). God peacefully puts people and things back together through the intercession of Jesus Christ. In small things and large things, small ways and large ways, the Divine always seeks to establish peace (shalom in Hebrew.)
Sacrifice of Blood. This phrase addresses Jesus’ ministry as high-priest and the new covenant that was established by his sacrifice on the cross.
Who Led Jesus Up and Alive. The writer employs a peculiar Greek word, anago—which means “led out” or “led up”—to describe the resurrection. The word theologically significant because it paints a picture of Jesus traveling from the heavens down to earth and suffering as humans suffered. Then, on the third day after the crucifixion, God leads him up through the suffering of death and hell back into the heavens.
The Great Shepherd. The picture of God “leading up” Jesus from death flows into the accompanying image of Jesus safely leading his followers as a shepherd who never leaves his sheep.
Everything you need to please him and Make us into what gives him pleasure. Because of Jesus’s ministry as high-Priest we have been made whole, complete and sanctified. Further, God is constantly at work in us making us over again and again.
All Glory to Jesus Forever and Always, Amen. The benediction ends where the beginning of Hebrews started: with Jesus seated in glory at the right hand of God.

i. Thomas G. Long, Hebrews: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Kindle Edition), p. 3.
ii. Levine, Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, The Jewish Annotated New Testament (Kindle Edition), p 460.
iii. Ibid.