By Toni Ford
I came up with the title of this article because it is how I would describe the last Chapter of Hebrews. When reading this section of the Bible, one might get the impression that the writer of Hebrews was either running out of time or just had a great deal of miscellaneous matters to discuss and saved it until the end. The chapter, however, full of wisdom, so much so that I found myself reading it three times in one sitting to make sure I did not miss anything. Here are a few tidbits of wisdom that stood out to me. I would encourage everyone to read the entire chapter for themselves.
Love expresses itself by the way we treat and respond to others. Hebrews 13:1-3 says, “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.”
The author of Hebrews could have started with any point he wanted to, but he chose to start with our treatment of others. In the Jewish culture, the lifestyle of caring for others is deeply ingrained into their upbringing as a child and continues to be carried out in their adult lives. Even today in various Jewish communities and congregations, you can see this trait being lived out. We would be wise to pay close attention to their culture, and most of all, to this Scripture. Where there is true Christian love, there will also be hospitality, and although we may not entertain angels in a literal sense, Scripture tells us that any stranger could turn out to be a messenger (the word angel simply means “messenger”) of blessing to us!
Learning to be content. Hebrews 13: 5-6 says, “Do not love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So, we can say with confidence that, The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Covetousness is the desire for more, whether we need it or not. It is so easy for me to slip into this thought, especially when I get caught up in comparing myself with others or when I begin to worry about that, I might not have enough of a particular thing. As someone previously stated, “Contented Christians are people with priorities, and material things are not high on their priority lists.” This is a great reminder that my contentment cannot come from material things, for they can never satisfy the heart. Only God can bring me and be for me that “Shalom,” the contentment and peace of mind that I need. God actually tells us that He will never fail us or abandon us. There is no person on earth, no material possession and no amount of money that can make that promise to us – it is only God that can do that!
In the remaining Chapter of Hebrews there are several spiritual truths about our Messiah that will help us stand firm in a world that is shaking all around us.
He is never-changing. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
Although the world in which we live is always changing and truth is hard to find, one thing we know is that our Messiah is consistent and steady and remains the same yesterday, today and forever!
Heaven is our home. Hebrews 13:14 says, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.”
We as believers are just passing through on this earth. Our home is in heaven, and that is what we live for, to be home with our Messiah one day for eternity. That is a day I look forward to, especially when you look at our world in which we live today.
God is my Great Shepherd. Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood. May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
As we are told in 1 Peter 5:4, the Great Shepherd will one day come for His sheep. Until that time, the Lord as our Great Shepherd is looking over us, protecting us and working in us to bring us to a greater spiritual maturity.
Lord, today I surrender my life to You, afresh and new. I give to You all the things that concern me, and I choose to place my eyes and my focus upon You! Thank You for these tidbits of wisdom from Hebrews. Now, help me to tuck these truths away deep in my soul so that I may walk in confidence of who You are in my life and not be shaken by the things of this world. I love You!
If you would like me to join you in prayer, please e-mail me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!