Hebrews: Christ Is Greater and BetterPrøve

Our Lasting City Read Hebrews 13:9-25 While the 'old city' (Jerusalem) has rejected Jesus (v 12a), we now look forward to the ‘new Jerusalem’, the heavenly city that is to come. Meanwhile, we must identify with Jesus to ‘suffer outside the city gate’. We need to come out of our 'shelter' and 'safety' and to serve, worship, obey, submit and pray (vs 13-19). Physical and material things such as ceremonial food and earthly altar are of this world. We have the sacrifice of Christ signifying our ‘altar’ which speaks of faith and grace. And by faith we are receiving a city which is to come (v 14b) and it is unshakeable (12:28). As the Jews felt secure inside the camp (Judaism), likewise, the followers of Jesus may feel secure in their comfort zone and dare not venture out to do great things for God. Therefore, we must constantly have the 'coming city’ in view and continually worship Him and offer our sacrifice of thankful praise (v 15). This is to be accompanied by our unreserved and unashamed witness in acknowledging His name (v 15b) and in compassionate service (v 16). There is no obedience without submission and vice versa (v 17). Whether leader or follower, we are all ultimately accountable to Jesus and we serve to please Him. A request for prayer is a sign of humility and dependence on God. (vs 18-19). More so when we know that He is a God who gives peace and love (v 20). He is able to equip us (v 21) if only we let Him. The sooner a man realises his mortality, the sooner he looks to the city that is to come.