Hebrews 13
MADE to Love
“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.”
Hebrews 13:1
Read Hebrews 13
What is love?
I thought I knew what love was until I had my first son. I will never forget the completely overwhelming feeling of love that washed over me when the nurse placed that little boy in my arms. The first thought that occurred to me was this. If I love this baby this much, imagine how much more God must love me because he sent his Son to die for me. After having spent much of his letter laying out the case for Christ over the old covenant, the author ends with some very practical tips for believers and how they should live. In particular, his advice centers around our relationships with each other and calls us to a life of love. In the most famous definition of love, 1 Corinthians 13 states that “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” Of course, we recognize that this kind of love is a lot easier to say than it is to live. That’s why the author reminds us that our strength to love comes from God’s grace, and not from our own ideas or rules.
How they know we are Christians
There is an old hymn called “They’ll know we are Christians.” The chorus says, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love” and is based on John 13:35 which says, “ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Unfortunately, despite the sentiment, the world does not generally know us because of our love. In fact, some have been known to say that Christians are the only army that shoots its wounded. Loving, it turns out, is a lot harder than it seems. Yet, the author of Hebrews makes a compelling case. As Christians we are called to love. We are called to love other Christians. We are called to love our spouses. We are called to love strangers, and people in prison, and those who are mistreated, and our spiritual leaders. And the Bible tells us that the primary way that we love is not through our words. It’s through our actions. Galatians 5:13 says, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Just as Jesus demonstrated his love by washing his disciples’ feet, he calls us to love each other through acts of service.
Not Loving = Hate
Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Anyone can claim to love God, but we prove our love for God by loving one another. Yet, how often do we settle for a watered-down version of love? We say things like: “Well, I love her, but I don’t like her very much.” Or “I don’t love her or hate her. I just ignore her.” Yet, John 13:34 says, “ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. “ We are not to love like the world loves. We are not to love when we feel like it. We are to love like Jesus. How did Jesus love? He loved sacrificially. He gave up the glories of Heaven to come to earth and die for us. Just as doing nothing is evil because it’s not doing good. Choosing not to love is, in essence, choosing to hate. There is no in-between in the grand scheme of God’s word. Matthew 5:44 even commands that we love our enemies. The first and most basic element of becoming like Christ is to love.
Love involves Sacrifice
I love traditions. I love hanging the same stockings out each Christmas. I love filling Easter baskets that I purchased when my sons were just babes. Tradition is familiar. Tradition is comforting. Maybe that’s why these Jewish Christians were having such a hard time. Although the Jewish system of belief was burdensome, it was rich in tradition, heritage and meaning. These Jewish Christians were now in a faith that was new, unproven and full of persecution. The author reminded them of the similarities and differences between the two systems of worship. Just as Jesus was crucified outside the city walls in a place of desolation and heartache, we are called to leave what is comfortable and familiar, to sacrifice ourselves and what we have to be outcasts for Christ reaching out to other outcasts. In particular, the author presents three specific sacrifices we can make.
We can offer our praise. Praise is a sacrifice of pride. It makes less of us in order to make more of God.
We can offer good deeds, sacrificing that which we have or want in order to help those in need.
We can sacrifice our own desires in order to live obediently in submission to God, his word and our spiritual leaders.
The author reminds his readers and us that we, as Christians, are to be different from the world. We are to be like Jesus.
It’s all about Relationships
My grandfather died when I was five, but prior to his death, he left me with some really good memories. In particular, I remember visiting him and my grandmother in New Jersey and being spoiled rotten. Their home was a special place because it was filled with love. Going there was all about being with them. This chapter is a reminder that our faith is not about rules; it is about relationships. Our faith begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ and extends to how we respond and react towards one another, towards strangers, toward those less fortunate than us, towards our spouses and leaders, even towards the things God has given us—It really matters to our Lord. Our gifts to Him are not burnt offerings but the sacrifice of praise and good deeds. Our perseverance in and power of faith is rooted in the hope we have in Christ and the help we receive from Him. While Christ’s sacrifice abolished the old law, believers can still offer their lives as a sacrifice of praise and worship by living in obedience to Christ. The author assures his readers that through Christ, we have absolutely everything we need, and that we are MADE to love.
How do you say Good-bye?
How do you say good-bye? Since my oldest son is now married and living several states away, I find that good-byes are harder than ever. I am never quite certain how long it will be before I seen him again. When he leaves, I hug him tightly and pray with and for him. Then I hug him again. I am reluctant to let him go. If he departs from my house, I stand on my deck and wave as he drives away. Saying good-bye is seldom easy. The author of Hebrews has spent a lot of time writing to this church. He has presented a case for Christ and Christianity to a group of people who were steeped in Jewish history and struggling under persecution. At times, his message has been stern. It has always been uncompromising. But as he says farewell, he leaves them with a beautiful benediction that shows his great love for his readers. He reminds them and us that nothing God has asked us to do or endure is impossible because we have Jesus, our great Shepherd, equipping us with everything we need. Through his power in us, we are capable of living God-glorifying lives. We are able to do good things because we are made to be like him. We are MADE to be holy.