Hebrews 13:1-18
Friday, 10 January 2025
“Let brotherly love continue.” -Hebrews 13:1
Towards the end of Hebrews (chapter 12:28), the author reminds his readers of receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. He then turns them to a series of short principles on how to live a life in this Kingdom in chapter 13. He exhorts us to uphold certain values so that God would be pleased in our daily walk. As he lays out the principles, we are reminded of certain incidents in the life of the patriarch Abraham of which we can learn from.
Brotherly Love: Let brotherly love continue (V1). In Genesis 13 we see that there was an argument between Lot’s people and Abraham’s people. Abraham didn’t want a fight and so he lets Lot choose first. “You first”—that is the brotherly-love attitude. It is possible to be slack in this kind of love for our Christian brothers and sisters due to our selfishness or the setbacks from close relationships. Within our families, we need to learn to love fervently so that outside the family we will portray what Christian love is all about. In John 13:34 Jesus said, “Love one another even as I loved you.” Jesus doesn’t give us an option but a command: the culmination of the whole Christian faith is LOVE.
Hospitality: Be not forget to entertain strangers (V2). Throughout the Old Testament, hospitality to strangers was of deep value. When Abraham was visited by three men, he insisted that they stay long enough for him to prepare a meal for them (Genesis 18) which meant making bread and the whole process of preparing a calf! The three men turned out to be the LORD Himself and two angels! Be hospitable!
Remember those that suffer (V3): In Genesis 14 we read that Abraham rescued his nephew from the hands of the enemy, not only his nephew, he freed all of them who were with Lot (V.14). During a time of persecution, the church to which this letter is written saw some of their members imprisoned. They stood side by side with those who were mistreated; sympathized with those in prison (Heb.10:33-34). Now he commands them “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Heb.13:3). Paul has written in 1 Corinthians 12:26: "If one member suffers, all suffer together."
Honouring Marriage (V4): Marriage is God’s idea—the man and woman coming together are protected by a Covenant. Though Abraham was diverted to Hagar, it wasn’t his idea. Abraham honoured his marriage with Sarah and he loved her. The Bible starts with a marriage in Genesis 2 and ends with a marriage in Revelation 22. First miracle of Jesus happened at a marriage in Cana. God said, “I am married to you, Israel.” God uses marriage as an example in the Book of Hosea to speak of His love for Israel. The New Testament passages on marriage along with Vs.4 of our reading teaches three things:
We are to honour marriage
We are to keep our marriages pure
God will punish sexual sin
Love not money (V5): Abraham was a rich man, but his joy and security was not in his wealth. He made the Lord Almighty his possession and portion. Abraham never served money but ran a race looking for a city that is eternal. Paul warns us in 1 Tim.6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
As believers we need to remind ourselves of the security of God’s presence. Hebrews 13:8 is a gem that always encourages us: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Because Christ Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Think on it: So here is what it comes down to: the ultimate choice in life is between pleasing ourselves and pleasing God.– Greg Laurie
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