Hebrews 13:1-16

Hebrews 13:1

I. Having warned the Hebrews against the dangers of selfishness, fleshly lusts, and covetousness, the Apostle proceeds to warn them against the dangers threatening their faith and loyalty to Christ. He reminds them of the guides, the teachers and rulers, whom God had given to them men who laboured in the ministry of the Lord, and sealed their testimony with their death. They had passed away, but the great Prophet, the great Apostle and High Priest, the true Shepherd, remained, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever. He is the only foundation, and His the only name. The heart finds rest in thinking of Him, the Rock of ages, the eternal unchanging Son of God, our Lord, Saviour, and Mediator.

II. We who believe possess the true altar. Of the type of this altar they who served the tabernacle were allowed to eat, but the reality was hid from them. By faith we behold it, and our hearts are stablished.

III. A joyous heart is also a generous heart. When we praise the Lord, the bountiful Giver, and thank Him for the gifts of His grace, gifts so undeserved, precious, and abundant, our hearts will be liberal. We shall not forget to do good and communicate; rather shall we be anxious to discover the good works ordained for us, that we may walk in them, to find out the poor and needy, the lowly and afflicted members of Christ, that we may help and cheer them. And as both the praise and the works are fruitsof the Spirit, brought forth by the living branches, so it is by Christ's intercession that they ascend unto the Father and are well-pleasing unto Him.

A. Saphir, Lectures on Hebrews,vol. ii., p. 423.

References: Hebrews 13:1. R. W. Dale, The Jewish Temple and the Christian Church,p. 276. Hebrews 13:2. Preacher's Monthly,vol. viii., p. 296; H. Melvill, Penny Pulpit,No. 2619; Homilist,3rd series, vol. ix., p. 99. Hebrews 13:3. Bishop Westcott, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxxvi., p. 97; Case, Short Practical Sermons,p. 114.Hebrews 13:4. R. D. B. Rawnsley, Village Sermons,3rd series, p. 267.