Hebrews 12

CHAPTER 12

 

Jesus the Supreme Example of Faith (12:1-3)

1 Therefore, having just learned in Chapter 11 of many great heroes of faith, let us follow their example and run with perseverance the race marked out for us. These Old Testament heroes are here called witnesses, because through their lives they gave witness to their faith.

The life of a follower of Christ is like a race. In a race all the runners run as fast as they can. Before the race begins, they take off all unnecessary clothing. No one runs a race wearing fine clothes and jewelry. There is nothing wrong with good clothes in themselves, but it is wrong to run a race in them! Such clothes will hinder the runner.

In the same way, there are many things in our Christian lives which are not wrong in themselves, but which hinder us in our spiritual race. We must throw off everything that hinders in order to run more quickly. These hindrances may even be good things, but they take time from our service to God. We all must examine ourselves to see if there are any such hindrances in our lives. And we must remember as we do so that what is a hindrance in one person’s life may not be a hindrance in another’s. Hindrances are not the same for everyone.

But sin, on the other hand, always slows everyone down. If we want to finish the race, we must throw off the sin that so easily entangles. We must throw off every sin, no matter how small. Small sins, if not thrown off, will grow large and soon entangle us.

In one way, however, our Christian life is different from a race. In a race only one runner wins and gets first prize. But in the “race” of our Christian lives, everyone who finishes the race gets the same prize— eternal life. Even though this is true, however, we should all run as if only one person was going to win. If we run like that, then we will be sure to run fast! We will be sure of running a good race for Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-26).

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let us not be distracted. Let us not gaze at all the pleasing things of the world. For if we do, we shall not be able to run in a straight line, but shall wander from side to side. And maybe we shall not even reach the finish line.

Jesus is the author (or pioneer) of our faith. He went before us into heaven. Jesus is also the author of the Old Testament heroes’ faith. Jesus was with them from the beginning (see 1 Corinthians 10:34). They did not know Jesus as we know Him; nevertheless, He was their leader. The Old Testament prophets also spoke of Jesus; therefore, He was the author of their faith too.

Jesus is also the perfecter of our faith. That is, He Himself is the supreme example of faith. In the garden of Gethsemane on the last day of His earthly life, Jesus with complete faith surrendered Himself to God. He said to God, “Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). On that day there was no sign that God was with Jesus. There was no one to comfort Him. He had been rejected by all men; even His own followers had deserted Him at the last moment. It even seemed as if God had rejected Him (Mark 15:34). Nevertheless, He endured the CROSS, scorning its shame. During the time of the Roman Empire, only the worst and most despised criminals were put to death on a cross. There was nothing more shameful than dying on a cross. Therefore, by enduring such terrible shame and suffering, Jesus has given us an example of faith that is above all others.

As Jesus was hanging on the cross, many stood around mocking Him. They said, “Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (Mark 15:32). But if Jesus by some supernatural means had come down from the cross, He could not have been the perfecter of our faith. Nor could He have given us such a perfect example to follow. On the contrary, Jesus was Himself made perfect by the suffering He endured (Hebrews 2:10). And we too, following His example, shall be made perfect through suffering.

If we persevere in faith until the end, we too will be exalted with Jesus (Hebrews 3:14). We too will share in the joy that was set before Him (see John 15:11; 16:22). And we too shall reign with Him in heaven. “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21). In this way, Jesus not only perfected His own faith, but He will perfect our faith also. Jesus is not only the author, the creator, of our faith; He is also the perfecter of our faith. That work of faith which Jesus has started within us He will also bring to perfection (Philippians 1:6).

3 Is there anyone among us who is growing weary, who is losing heart? If there is, let that person consider Jesus. Consider him. When we consider Jesus—that is, when we meditate and reflect on Him—we shall receive from Him strength and grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

God Disciplines His Sons (12:4-13)

4 The writer says here that the Hebrews have suffered persecution for Christ’s sake, but they have not yet shed their blood—that is, died—for Christ. They have not yet had to suffer what some of the Old Testament heroes of the faith suffered. The Hebrews shouldn’t let themselves be discouraged so quickly; their trials are just beginning! If they are discouraged by small troubles, what will happen to them when big troubles come?

But the Hebrews need to remember that God is merciful and will never allow a trial to come upon them that they cannot endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). They also need to remember that whatever trial comes upon them, it comes as DISCIPLINE from God. God’s discipline is a sign, not of anger, but of His love toward us (verse 6).

5-6 The writer here quotes from Proverbs 3:11-12. When trouble and sorrow come upon us, let us not complain against God. Let us remember that in allowing such trouble and sorrow to come upon us, God is disciplining us as children for our own good. Whatever trouble and persecution comes to us has been allowed by God. Men persecute us because ofour obedience to Christ, but God uses that persecution to discipline us so that we might obey Christ all the more.

7-8 Every son needs discipline. Even Christ learned obedience from what he suffered (Hebrews 5:8).

No one cares about disciplining illegitimate children. They will not inherit anything. But a father cares about his own son. A father wants to train his son well, because he knows that one day the son will be given great responsibility. It is the same with God. If we are being disciplined by God, let us rejoice, because we know that He is treating us as sons and is preparing a place of responsibility for us. If we have not experienced any kind of trouble in our life, then we have cause to wonder whether or not we really are God’s children.

9-10 When God disciplines us, He never makes a mistake. God’s discipline is always just; it is always beneficial. Our human fathers tried to discipline us as well as they could, but they made mistakes. Nevertheless, we respected them. If we respected our human fathers, how much more should we respect our heavenly Father, the Father of our spirits (verse 9).

Why does God discipline us? He disciplines us so that we may share in his holiness (verse 10). This is God’s purpose. In one way, we have already been made holy by Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). But that is only the first step in our salvation. That first holiness is the righteousness of Christ, which we receive when we first believe, and on the basis of which we are declared righteous (Romans 5:1). But there is a second kind of holiness—the full holiness or perfection of God—which is the final goal of our lives. It takes time to obtain this second kind of holiness, and we shall fully obtain it only after we get to heaven (see Hebrews 10:14 and comment). In the meantime, God is continually making us more and more holy here on earth by allowing various kinds of trouble and persecution to come upon us in the form of discipline. Paul said, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

11 We can respond to God’s discipline in two ways. First, we can reject His discipline; we can become angry and begin to complain against God. Or second, we can thankfully accept God’s discipline and let Him train us by it. If we reject His discipline, it will do us no good. If we accept His discipline, our lives will increase in righteousness (holiness) and PEACE. We will be turned from sin to righteousness and obedience. And the fruit of righteousness is peace with God. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. … It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees (Psalm 119:67,71).

12 When we are being disciplined by God, let us not be discouraged. His discipline is not meant to cast us down; it is meant to make us mature and equipped for God’s service. When discipline comes we must not run from it, but rather we must welcome it and allow ourselves to be trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees, says the writer (Isaiah 35:3).

13 If anyone in the church is being disciplined by God—if anyone is spiritually lame—let us give that person help and encouragement (Galatians 6:1-2). Let us make level paths for his feet (Proverbs 4:26). Let us not put any hindrance in his way, lest he stumble and fall and be unable to finish his race.

Instructions and Warnings (12:14-17)

14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men (see Romans 12:18). It is not possible to live in peace with everyone, because some people will oppose us simply because of our faith in Christ. But we must try as far as possible to remain at peace with everyone. And if we are supposed to remain at peace with non-believers, how much more should we strive to remain at peace with our fellow believers! (see Ephesians 4:3).

Make every effort … to be holy. Through the grace given to us by Christ and His Holy Spirit, God is continually making us more and more holy. But, in addition to that, we ourselves must strive to be holy. We can become holy only by being obedient to God (see Philippians 2:12-13 and comment).

“Be holy, because I am holy,” says God (Leviticus 11:45; 1 Peter 1:15-16). It is God’s will that you should be holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3). … without holiness no one will see the Lord (see Matthew 5:8 and comment).

When we look at ourselves and at our church, what do we see? Holiness, or un-holiness. Peace, or strife. Let each person examine himself.

15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God (see Hebrews 4:1). God’s grace is always available to us (Hebrews 4:16). But sometimes we don’t take it or appropriate it. Instead, we reject it. And when we do this, we have fallen away from grace (Gal-atians 5:4).

Why do we so often refuse to accept God’s grace? Because of sin. As long as we continue in sin, we cannot receive God’s grace. Sin is like a bitter root, which makes the whole tree bitter. Sin in our life makes our whole life impure. Sin in the church makes the whole church impure; and in so doing, it will defile many. Let us take care that no “bitter root” like this grows up among us. And if it does, let us be quick to root it out (see 1 Corinthians 5:9-11,13).

16 The writer here gives two examples of sin: sexual immorality and godlessness. Sexual immorality was a very common sin in New Testament times, and new believers and new churches were always in danger of being defiled by it (see 1 Corinthians 5:1).

The second example is godlessness. Isaac’s son Esau was godless, because in exchange for a small earthly benefit he gave up his God-given inheritance rights, his rights as the oldest son. One day Esau was very hungry, and asked his younger brother Jacob for something to eat. Jacob, being crafty, agreed to give Esau some food in exchange for Esau’s inheritance rights. Because of his great hunger, Esau agreed (Genesis 25:29-33). So Esau despised his birthright (Genesis 25:34). In this way, Esau missed God’s grace (verse 15). His sin was this: He desired the pleasure of this world more than the blessing of God.

Esau was like a small child who prefers a piece of candy to a thousand dollar bill. And we also are like that, when we value the things of the world more than the things of God. How many there are who in trying to gain earthly wealth lose their heavenly inheritance (see Matthew 6:19-20 and comment).

After Esau had given up his birthright, he tried to get it back but could not. And it will be so with us. If we knowingly reject God’s grace, we, like Esau, will lose our inheritance in heaven (see Hebrews 10:35).

17 The story of Isaac blessing Esau is told in Genesis 27:30-40 (see Hebrews 11:20 and comment). Esau never truly repented of his sin of rejecting God’s grace. Yes, he later regretted it, and wept with sorrow over the blessing he had lost; but he never wept over his sin. Because when a man rejects God’s grace, his heart becomes hardened, and he loses all inclination to repent (Hebrews 3:12-13).

The Heavenly Jerusalem (12:18-29)

18-19 Here the writer of Hebrews describes how God gave His law to the Jews. God came down on Mount Sinai in fire to speak with Moses; the mountain was burning with fire. A great cloud covered the mountain; there was darkness, gloom and storm (verse 18). The whole mountain trembled violently. There was a trumpet blast as God descended onto the mountain. And then God spoke out of the cloud. All the Jews were filled with fear (Exodus 19:16-19; 20:18-21).

20-21 If any man or animal touched Mount Sinai during the time God was on the mountain, that man or animal was to be put to death; this was God’s command. Because of God’s presence, the whole mountain was filled with His holiness. God’s holiness was so awesome and fearful that even an animal that strayed near the mountain had to be killed because it had come too close to that holiness. The animal itself couldn’t even be touched; it had to be stoned to death from a distance (verse 20). When the Jews heard such commands and felt the terror of God’s presence, they could not bear it. No one could survive who came close to God’s holiness (Exodus 19:12-13). According to Deuteronomy 9:19, even Moses was trembling with fear (verse 21).

22 Under the old covenant men were afraid in God’s presence. But under the new covenant, every believer can come into God’s presence without fear. We don’t have to be afraid, as the Jews were, because we are coming into the presence of our loving and merciful heavenly Father.

Mount Zion is the place where King David established the city of Jerusalem. This earthly Mount Zion—that is, Jerusalem—was the main center of the Jewish religion. It was here that David’s son Solomon built the great Jewish temple.

Just as the earthly sanctuary of the old covenant was merely a copy of the heavenly sanctuary of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:24), so the earthly Jerusalem is merely a copy of the heavenly Jerusalem. The “heavenly Jerusalem” is the city of the living God. It is God’s heavenly sanctuary, where He dwells with His angels. It is that better country, which Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were seeking (Hebrews 11:16).

23 Here the heavenly Jerusalem is called the church of the firstborn. The firstborn is Jesus Christ Himself; in the kingdom of God Jesus is the first, the oldest, (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:6). But through faith in Him, we too become firstborn in a spiritual sense. We are the “firstborn” who will inherit the kingdom of God. We are members of the joyful assembly—Christ’s church. Our names are written in heaven (see Luke 10:20; Revelation 21:27).

The righteous men made perfect are the Old Testament heroes of faith, many of whom are mentioned in Chapter 11. They also will be included in the church of the firstborn.

Based on what is written in this verse, many people think that as soon as believers die their spirits are made perfect and they at once enter heaven, the “heavenly Jerusalem” (see Luke 23:42-43). Thenlater, after Christ comes to earth again, their bodies will be resurrected, and they will receive a new, redeemed spiritual body (Romans 8:23).

God is the judge of all men. He will take vengeance on His enemies, and He will vindicate His people. But He will also judge His own people; none of us will escape the judgment of God. If we obey Him, we will have nothing to fear. But if we deliberately disobey Him, we will have much to fear (see Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 10:30-31).

24 When we enter the heavenly Jerusalem, we shall meet Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant (see Hebrews 8:6; 9:15 and comments). Through His sprinkled blood—that is, through His shed blood—our consciences are cleansed (Hebrews 9:14). Thus we are able to enter the heavenly sanctuary and draw near to God (Hebrews 10:19,22). Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than Abel’s blood. The blood of Abel cries out for vengeance against sinful Cain (see Genesis 4:8-10; Hebrews 11:4). But the blood of Jesus cries out for mercy for sinful men. Jesus’ blood speaks of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Therefore, Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than Abel’s blood.

25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks—that is, God. God warned the Jews on earth. He came down onto Mount Sinai to speak with them (see verses 18-19). But in the end the Jews did not heed God, and they were punished.

Today God continues to speak to us. Even now He is warning us from heaven. If the Jews did not escape punishment when they rejected God’s warning on earth, those of us today who reject His warning from heaven will certainly not escape punishment (see Hebrews 3:7-12; 10:28-29).

26 When God spoke to the Jews from Mount Sinai, the whole mountain trembled violently (Exodus 19:18). Later God spoke through the Old Testament prophets, saying that He would again shake the earth—and not only the earth but also the heavens (Isaiah 13:13; Haggai 2:6). The meaning is this: God will one day destroy both heaven and earth, and in their place He will establish a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).

27 God is going to remove what can be shaken—thatis, created things. These created things are heaven and earth. God is going to remove them. That is, heaven and earth will be destroyed; they will pass away (Mark 13:31). But the kingdom of God—the heavenly Jerusalem (verse 22)—cannot be shaken; it will remain forever.

28-29 We believers are citizens and heirs of that kingdom that cannot be shaken (the kingdom of God). Therefore, let us always be thankful to God for the great grace He has shown to us. At the same time, we must worship God acceptably—that is, we must worship Him with reverence and awe. God is a loving and merciful heavenly Father, but He is also a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Isaiah 33:14; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; Hebrews 10:26-27; 2 Peter 3:10-13). Those who deliberately reject Him will never know Him as a loving Father; they will know Him only as a consuming fire, a “fire” of judgment and punishment. Therefore, all men must come to God with reverence and awe; He is mighty to save, but He is also mighty to punish.

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