But we are seeking the city which is to come
Hebrews 13:11-14 Amplified Bible
11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city] gate so that He might sanctify and set apart for God as holy the people [who believe] through [the shedding of] His own blood. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His contempt [the disgrace and shame that He had to suffer]. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. The sacrifices under the Old Covenant were burned outside the camp because if they remained in the camp, they would make the camp unclean. The camp was a place of God’s presence, and these sacrifices took on the sin of the camp of Israel. They were performed repeatedly. But we have come to understand that throughout this epistle of Hebrews that the blood of bulls and goats was insufficient to truly atone for sin. They had to be performed repeatedly. But ultimately these sacrifices pointed to something greater.
Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city] gate so that He might sanctify and set apart for God as holy the people [who believe] through [the shedding of] His own blood. Ultimately the greater was the sacrifice of Jesus laying down His life. His blood was shed so that we could be free. Jesus suffered and died outside the gate. Everything that took place during Calvary was by designed. Nothing was by chance or accident. Everything done during Jesus earthly life was guided by the hand of the Father. Jesus entire life was fully surrendered to the Father’s will.
Why did Jesus die? Why was His blood shed? Why did He go through the suffering and shame of Calvary? It is the only way He could save us. It is the only way that He could sanctify and set apart a people for the Living God. The word sanctify is the Greek word hagiázō and it means; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:—hallow, be holy, sanctify. Through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we are washed clean. Our ability to receive the salvation that Jesus purchased is by faith alone in the Son of God. God has designed all this so that the only way man can be saved is by faith alone. If it was anything but faith, man would have something to boast before God about. But Jesus has paid the price. Jesus has fulfilled the Father’s will. Jesus has completed the work.
So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His contempt [the disgrace and shame that He had to suffer]. The word contempt is the Greek word óneidos. This word seems to come from a root meaning “to revile,” and it means “disgrace,” “abuse,” or “object of disgrace or shame.”[1] The original audience of the epistles of Hebrews were considering abandoning Christ. Because of the ridicule and contempt, they were suffering for Jesus, they were thinking about abandoning ship. But here through the leading and guidance of The Holy Spirit they are encouraged to bear the contempt of Christ. The phrase let us go out to Him outside the camp simply means let us stand with him in His rejection. Jesus made it clear that to anyone to follow Him they must deny themselves and pick up their cross. We must be willing to die to self-preservation. We must be willing to lay down all for the honor and name of Jesus. In this world we will have trouble, but fear not, He has overcome the world.
For here we have no lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Our hearts and minds cannot be focused on the here and now. For every Jew, all that is found under the Old Covenant is only but a shadow of the heavenly reality. The Jerusalem here is by a shadow of the city of God that awaits those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The letter of Hebrews not only points to the supremacy of Jesus over the Old Covenant system, but it is a letter of encouragement to keep grinding and keep pressing on. The word seeking is the Greek word ĕpizētĕō and it means to search (inquire) for; to demand, to crave:—desire, enquire, seek (after, for).[2] What we are called to desire and long for is our heavenly home. This world is passing away and when our eyes are firmly fixed on Jesus Christ, we will be strengthened and encouraged for the journey. When our eyes are fixed on Jesus we will never be led in the wrong direction.
Today where is our focus? Have you recently considered abandoning faith in Jesus Christ? Has the difficult season you are facing discouraged you? May we continue to fix our hearts and minds on Jesus. Though we may be hated in this world because of the name of Jesus, we have a heavenly home and reward that awaits us. The key is understanding we are not called to live our best life now. We are called to serve and honor Jesus Christ in all things. May we hold fast to the faith we have in Jesus Christ. Like the writer of Hebrews says may we go outside of the camp to Him and share in His contempt. May our desire be that which Paul wrote in Philippians 3:10 10 And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did].
Prayer
Father thank you for your grace. Help me each day to be willing to lay down my life. To keep my eyes and heart fixed upon you and your kingdom. Father remove anything from my life that would hinder your work and plan. Lead, guide, and direct me in all your ways. Jesus strengthen me by your grace to endure any suffering and shame I may encounter for your name. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
[1] Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985), 693.
[2] James Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009), 31.
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