As we close this amazing letter of Hebrews we do so by reading of 3 very important truths to live by. Your relationship with God, having friends in your life and living by grace.
“Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.” (Hebrews 13 v 22-25)
The writer says that this letter was brief. Well this is my final blog on Hebrews (the 138th one!). Whether you think Hebrews is brief or not I guess it would have not taken too long to read it aloud in one go. The questions is what is the impact? Will they be obedient to its challenge? Will they remain devoted to Jesus Christ and resist the return to Judaism?
And you? Will you do what God has called you to do?
Secondly, don’t rush past the individuals. Timothy having been released from prison is wanting to come to see them along with the writer of the letter. ‘All your leaders’ and ‘all the Lord’s people’ and the Italians who are obviously living in the writer’s region. The point is: community. Relationships, belonging, fellowship. This is so important. I have just come from my denominations annual conference and what a joy to see so many people who are classed as friends. Guests from overseas commented of what they saw in the depth of friendship being witnessed.
And you? Which people are you so grateful for today?
And finally, Grace.
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9)
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:15)
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. (Hebrews 13:9)
Grace be with you all. The final verse.
This whole letter has not been an easy listen for its readers. There is much to challenge them. But it ends with grace. These early Christians were thinking of giving up, some already had. They needed to persevere just like Jesus endured the cross. We don’t know who this writer was nor to who it was written for. It was written for us.
It was written that we might trust what God has said in His Word.
It was written that we might walk in holiness within the finished work of Christ.
It was written that we might honour the person of Christ and not water down this orthodox position.
And it was written that we might not fall away into heresy.
And you? How will you continue as a Christian? It has to be Grace. There is no other way.
Missions Paul 