“Bearing His Reproach” (Heb 13:10-25)

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. (vs10-13)

We must go "outside the camp" to worship God, all the way to Christ, bearing whatever reproach necessary for sincere worship.  It is WORTH it for the soul. Everything that we do for Him is for our own soul's good, and it is WORTH the losses and sufferings that we endure.  We're on the winning but despised team.  But, the reward is WORTH the trouble.  Never compromise God's Son for human pleasures.

Secondly, eternal realities keep matters in perspective. We choose the better eternity, knowing that heaven and hell are real. He says, “let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come” (vs13-14).  We choose because we see Him whom others cannot, we hear and comprehend, when others cannot, and we have inward instruction by God to His elect.

We who preach give an account, and this demands faithfulness from us and you. We read, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (vs17).  Yes, we'll be judged on how we lived, so live for God's glory, rather than temporary pleasures.  Judgment Day puts everything in perspective regarding the present life. Live holy because it is better for you both now and then.

Thirdly, Jesus' death and resurrection is hope before God - that for His sake, because He suffered away sins unto God's approval, we can be sure that He works in us now. He says, “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (vs20-21).”  We have the merit that we need, and people are wrong to preach a gospel that minimizes good works. We trust Christ FOR obedience, so we can bear fruit.  Grace is for godliness.

Finally, in sincere love, the brethren from Italy greet the Jewish Christians. He says, “Those from Italy greet you” (vs24). They don't hold them in contempt, look upon them idolatrously, or in any way think themselves less than brothers. They love people they have not seen because grace makes us LOVE God and His people.