As part of the sin offerings that Israel would have to give, they were given the following instructions: “Then you shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. Then you shall kill the bull before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and shall take part of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and the rest of the blood you shall pour out at the base of the altar. And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. But the flesh of the bull and its skin and its dung you shall burn with fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering“ (Exodus 29:10-14). Part of the sin offering was taking certain parts that remained of the sacrificed bull outside the camp to be burned in a clean place (Leviticus 4).
It is this imagery that the Hebrews writer uses to remind his brethren of the suffering and shame of Jesus on the cross for our sins: “We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood” (Hebrews 13:10-12).
Reminded of that fact, he then calls for them to endure suffering and shame for the cause of Christ: “Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured” (Hebrews 13:13). Jesus suffered pain and humiliation in order to save us from our sins. We have to be willing to endure anything for the sake of Christ.
Not only should the love of Jesus motivate us but what should also drive us is the reward God has prepared for us: “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). This world will not last. It is not our home. Heaven is home for God’s children. For followers of Jesus Christ.
Because of God’s great love and the eternal home He has waiting for us, we should be giving God all the praise and worship that we can: “Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Jesus suffered and died for us. Our heavenly Father sent His only Son to die for us.What are we in turn willing to do for God? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to please Him and shine our lights in this dark world of sin? Are we focused on being in Heaven with God for eternity? Are we filled with praise for God and continually worshiping Him? May that be the case for each one of us. Look at what Jesus did for us. Go to Him. Follow Him. Stand with Him. Give your whole heart to God. Live for Jesus. Heaven will surely be worth it all.
A Cord of Blue 