In the first seven chapters of this letter the person of the Son of God displaces all else–the Man in the glory of God. In the next three chapters we are introduced to the place where He serves as our High Priest–the sanctuary of glory. In the last three chapters it is the path that leads to the glory. To enable us to follow Jesus in the outside place, the Lord gives us a sight of Him in the inside place–within the veil.
In chapter 11, God’s pilgrims are following one another in the path of faith; in chapter 12 there is the hope that is set before us; in chapter 13 it is love that should characterize brethren in Christ. We have no portion in this world, but we have Christ in glory, and one another down here.
There will be a shaking up of the whole world-system soon (12:27); the bands that bind society already are snapping; the anchor for faith is the unchanging Christ. And the bands of love that unite all the children of peace, find anchorage there.
Pilgrims in Faith’s Path (vv. 1-6)
“See how these Christians love one another,” was the world’s comment on the conduct of early believers. They had never seen anything like it; it was the fruit of Christ’s resurrection. There had always been natural love, springing from natural relationships. But this was different. Believers in Christ loved each other because they were children of one heavenly Father, members one of another. “Let brotherly love continue.” “We be brethren,” said Abraham to Lot, and refused to engage in strife with him. Continuing in “brotherly love,” he was able later to deliver “his brother” when he had been taken captive (Gen. 14:14).
The fruit of love is twofold. Our brethren may be strangers to us; love opens a home to them, and heaven’s benediction is ours in return (v. 2). We open our hearts to our brethren in distress, bearing the same burden, and having the same care (v. 3).
The enemy of love is lust, and it is against the activities of this evil we are warned (vv. 4-5). As fragrant as love is, lust makes of our heart’s garden a wilderness, robbing marriage of its sanctity, the home of its sacredness, and love of its loyalty. The two-fold cravings of impurity (v. 4) and worldliness (v. 5) are offset by another couplet, “contentment” and “confidence.” “Content with such things as ye have,” not seeking to be richer tomorrow than today, satisfied with God’s abundant supply, we echo His word of promise (v. 5) with the reply of faith (v. 6).
Former Leaders in the Path (vv. 7-8)
The ranks of God’s pilgrims were thinning. Some who had guided the flock were no longer with them; but the fragrance of Christ that had characterized their ministry, and their footprints, remained where they had marked the way. Their faith could be imitated. The purpose and goal of their life could be summed up in one word–Christ. Imposing monuments have been erected in memory of great men in this world. But nothing could be greater than to have contributed to the glory of Christ–the names of the servants lost in the greater Name of the Master–the glory of their lives seen only in the golden rays of His unutterable and unalterable glory.
The Unchanging Leader (v. 8)
We have seen how Christ displaces everything; He also fills every vacancy. For a moment we pause again in the progress of this epistle to gaze on Him. His undimmed glory fills the past, present, and future. The yesterday of the cross, the forever of the provision of Christ at the altar of expiation, causes us today to stand at the golden altar, rendering continual service of thanksgiving. And this self-sacrificial service will be accompanied by subjection (v. 17), for there is order and government in the house of God. The real test of devotedness to Christ will be seen in that love which bows to the guidance of those who watch over our souls, and who seek to maintain godly principles and practices among God’s people. Thus there is a threefold giving: our songs, our substance, and our selves.
Responsibility in the Path (vv. 18-25)
The Hebrews closes with a threefold desire of the apostle. He asks their prayers for himself; he desires their entire conformity to the will of God; and he urges them to give heed to the word of exhortation.
Invoking blessing on them, Paul casts them on God who has removed every obstacle to peace by raising Christ. He would work in them His will, so that His pleasure might be seen in His people and His glory secured forever. The guarantee? Our risen and glorified Saviour.