This ongoing article has been presenting ideas during the past several weeks, about the Letter of Paul to the Hebrews. With this installment I will conclude the consideration of this Letter.

The ending chapters (12-13) of the Letter contain practical counsel for the specific community for which it was written. Some of it can be seen as definite encouragement to a community that was under pressure. Recipients of the Letter are told to persevere, to endure trials, to lift their drooping hands and strengthen their weak knees, to avoid bitterness and definitely not to sell their birthright.

Some of it is a reminder of ethical teachings that are to shape their lives. They are to let mutual love continue, show hospitality to strangers and remember those in prison; be faithful in marriage, free from the love of money and content with what they have; and do good and share. In the midst of these is one of the best-known verses from Hebrews: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. The context is ethical; they are to remember what they had been taught. Thus after its unique presentation of Jesus as high priest and sacrifice,       Hebrews ends with ethical teachings common to early Christianity.
To many modern readers and even scholars, Hebrews is a strange book filled with references to ancient practices, with the presuppositions of a wholly different culture and with images that evoke no recognition in the 21st century. It is true that to understand Hebrews the reader must understand the Old Testament. Yet for all its strangeness, the book continues to truly fascinate modern readers because of its very vivid images, its relentless argument that refuses to detour from the main point, its very stirring remembrances of the heroes of the faith and most of all, its almost breathtaking portrait of Jesus – the ultimate priest who, for ourselves for a time, was made a little lower than the angels. This Jesus captivates the mind and imagination of thoughtful readers – this Jesus who not only gave strength to those enduring persecution two thousand years ago, but who still today gives strength to those facing the possibility of persecution.
How does one write to suffering Christians and tell them to stay faithful despite the price they are paying? The author simply points them to Jesus and says: This is the right thing to do since God Himself willingly endured suffering to show us His love.