Jesus
also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. Let us therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.
Hebrews 13:12-13
Hebrews 13 [7.] Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Don’t be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by food, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
Hebrews 13 [10.] We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp.[a] Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. Let us therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come. Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God [b] continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name. But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13 [17.] Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 13:11 Leviticus 16:27.
b. Hebrews 13:15 Psalm 50:23.
Meaning:
These verses draw a powerful connection between the Old Testament sacrificial system and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, urging us to understand and embrace the implications of Christ’s suffering "outside the gate." This passage speaks to the depth of Christ’s sacrifice, the call to join Him in bearing the cost of discipleship, and the transformative power of His atonement.
- The Old Testament Background
To fully grasp the significance of these verses, we need to understand the Old Testament context referred to by the author of Hebrews. In the Levitical law, certain sin offerings involved the blood of the sacrificial animal being brought into the holy place, while the remains of the animal were taken outside the camp to be burned (Leviticus 16:27). This process was part of the Day of Atonement ritual, where the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of a bull and a goat to make atonement for the sins of the people. The remains of these animals, considered to bear the sin and impurity, were disposed of outside the camp, symbolizing the removal of sin from the community.
- Jesus’ Sacrifice Outside the Gate
"Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside the gate." This verse explicitly links the Old Testament practice of burning the sin offering outside the camp with the crucifixion of Jesus. Just as the sin offerings were taken outside the camp to remove the impurity from the people, Jesus was taken outside the city of Jerusalem to be crucified, bearing the sins of humanity.
- This act of suffering "outside the gate" is deeply symbolic:
Sanctification through His Blood: The purpose of Jesus’ suffering was to sanctify us—set us apart as holy—through His blood. His death was not just a tragic event but a necessary sacrifice for the purification of our sins. Just as the sacrificial blood in the Old Testament brought atonement, Christ’s blood brings about our sanctification, cleansing us from all sin and making us acceptable before God.
Rejection and Humiliation: Jesus’ crucifixion outside the city also symbolizes His rejection by the world. He was cast out of the city, a place of social, religious, and political significance, and suffered in a place associated with shame, dishonor, and impurity. This highlights the depth of His humiliation and the extent of His identification with the outcast and the sinner.
- The Call to Go Outside the Camp
"Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach." The author of Hebrews invites us to join Jesus outside the camp, embracing the reproach and suffering that comes with following Him. This call is both a challenge and a profound statement about Christian discipleship.
Separation from the World: To go "outside the camp" means to separate ourselves from the values, comforts, and approval of the world. Just as Jesus was rejected and suffered outside the city, we too are called to step outside the boundaries of societal acceptance and embrace a life that may involve rejection, persecution, and hardship for the sake of Christ. This involves a willingness to be marginalized, misunderstood, and even persecuted because of our allegiance to Jesus.
Bearing His Reproach: The idea of bearing Christ’s reproach means accepting the same scorn and shame that He bore. This doesn’t just mean enduring hardship; it involves a deep identification with Christ’s suffering and a commitment to live out our faith regardless of the cost. In a world that often opposes Christian values, this call to bear reproach is a reminder that true discipleship involves sacrifice and a willingness to stand with Christ, even when it’s difficult.
The Application of the Passage
The message of Hebrews 13:11-13 has profound implications for how we live our lives as followers of Christ:
A Life of Sacrifice: Just as Christ sacrificed Himself outside the gate, we are called to live lives marked by sacrifice. This might mean giving up our comfort, status, or even safety to remain faithful to Christ. Our faith should be evident not just in times of peace and prosperity but also in how we endure hardship and rejection for His sake.
Identification with Christ’s Suffering: Going outside the camp means identifying with Christ in His suffering. This could involve standing firm in our faith when faced with opposition or choosing to live according to biblical principles in a culture that may reject those values. It’s about aligning ourselves with Christ, even when it costs us dearly.
Hope in Sanctification: The ultimate goal of Christ’s suffering was to sanctify us through His blood. As we follow Him outside the camp, we do so with the hope and assurance that His sacrifice has made us holy and that our suffering is not in vain but is part of God’s work of sanctification in our lives.
Cross-References:
Matthew 16:24: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.'" This verse echoes the call to go outside the camp, emphasizing the need for self-denial and the willingness to embrace the suffering that comes with following Christ.
1 Peter 2:21: "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps." Peter reminds us that Christ’s suffering is not just for our salvation but also serves as an example for how we are to live—embracing suffering as part of our Christian walk.
Philippians 3:10: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death." Paul expresses a desire to know Christ fully, including participating in His sufferings, which aligns with the call to go outside the camp and bear Christ’s reproach.
Conclusion: Hebrews 13:11-13 calls us to reflect deeply on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who suffered outside the gate to sanctify us through His blood. It challenges us to follow Him outside the camp, embracing the reproach and suffering that comes with true discipleship. As we consider this passage, we are reminded that our faith is not just about comfort and blessings but about sacrifice, sanctification, and a willingness to stand with Christ, even in the face of rejection and hardship. This call to go outside the camp is a call to live fully for Christ, no matter the cost.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible