Scripture
Vs 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Vs 12 Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.
Vs 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Observation
The author has some final thoughts to communicate to the Hebrew Christians.
He tells them two places to seek a model for their actions and behavior: “your leaders” and “Jesus”
The author also tells his readers how they can continue on in their actions even when their circumstances are extremely difficult.
They must maintain perspective … an eternal perspective … “we seek a city that is to come”.
Application
Who do I keep an eye on to model my actions and behavior?
I do not create my own action from a vacuum.
I am not the independent individual that is so often idolized or dreamed of in my own head.
I will have leaders outside of my own mind and thinking.
I get my thoughts of how to act mostly from those around me.
Three key actions are stated of how to engage those leaders around me.
“Remember” … “Consider” … and “Imitate”
My mind is full of countless memories. I will focus on some a lot more than others.
Which memories tend to recur or play over and over again in my mind?
What I must remember most significantly are the memories of “leaders”!
And who are the “leaders” I should “remember”?
“Those who spoke the word of God”!
And then once I “Remember”, I must “consider”.
To think hard and contemplate others actions … to truly discern right from wrong …
To analyze “the outcome of their way of life” … this is to “consider”.
This takes an intentional process of the mind and watching closely who I follow.
But it is not only a process of mind, but a process of action.
I must ultimately “imitate”.
“Imitate” what? … Their “faith”!
What actions of faith am I taking? … Any? … Not enough?
Perhaps, I must “remember” those of some around me and “consider” their outcomes.
God will certainly show me what action of faith I take. … Faith pleases Him!
And, of course, I must always know that Jesus never asks me to do anything He did not do before and infinitely more than I.
Sure, there may be “suffering”, and “bearing reproach”, and “enduring” in this.
But how tiny any of this is considering what eternity has for me!
When the present seems difficult, I can “remember” my leaders and “seek the city that is to come”.
The present becomes easier when the Christian past and future are considered.
Prayer
Thank You, God, for your Word
Thank you for placing leaders around me who speak your word
Open my eyes Holy Spirit to the outcomes I can imitate
Give me courage to seek the city to come
In Jesus name,
Amen