The letters of the New Testament tend to end in a similar fashion: the author wraps up the letter’s content, revisiting the letter’s dominant themes while also throwing in any last helpful advice and final greetings. Hebrews conforms to this style.

In the first lines of Hebrews 13, the author provides a list of instructions:
 – Keep loving one another.
 – Show hospitality.
 – Remember those who are in prison or suffering.
 – Maintain purity (especially when it comes to marriage).
 – Be content with what you have.

It may feel like a grab-bag of good advice, but through these instructions, the author is reiterating Jesus’s call to us. We should be steadfast in our love for God and each other— not blown about by every wind of strange doctrine or fixated on fruitless ceremony. As John Chrysostom describes it, “By faith, all things are pure. There is need then of faith, not food.” The author reminds readers how Jesus was not sacrificed there in the Temple; he was taken outside the city gates. We too should be willing to go outside to the places others might deem “unholy.” We should look for God’s holiness everywhere, as the life and death of Jesus testify that this holiness cannot be contained.

From here, the author moves to the subject of relationships with leaders. With the abuse by churches and pastors coming to light in the #metoo era, this subject struck a chord with our group. When taken in isolation (i.e. “Submit to leaders. Period.”), these words can be destructive, but the author does not mean them this way. Rather, when leaders truly imitate Christ and speak the love of God, then they should be respected and imitated. This passage is not a blanket endorsement of all church leaders— only the leaders who act responsibly.

After a few final greetings, the author emphasizes the real core of Hebrews and the real core of the Gospel, five profound words we should never tire of hearing:

Grace be with you all.

And with this, Hebrews comes to an end.

Next week, we’ll kick off a new Sunday night study over at Aardwolf Brewing Co. Pastor Steve of San Marco Church will be leading us in “Hops & Hosea.” See you there!