- Love one another (v1)
- Be hospitable (v2)
- Remember those suffering in prison (have compassion and empathy) (v3)
- Honor marriage (v4)
- Trust God to provide for you. Focus on loving Him and not material things (v5-6)
- Examine the fruit of the lives of your leaders – imitate their faith (v7)
- Remember Jesus is faithful and consistent and true (v8)
- Do good and be generous (v16)
- Listen to your leaders as they will be accountable to God for the church – do your part to make it joyful to lead instead of wearisome (v17)
But right in the middle of all these great encouragements, verses 9-15, the author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus should always be our focus. Christianity is not about food regulations, a specific place to worship, sacrifices for sin, or religious practices. Isaiah 53:4-6 says, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering…But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Jesus was made to be sin and was sacrificed “outside the city, like a criminal.” We should seek Heavenly treasure, a Heavenly city and future, and even if it makes us “outsiders” we should continually praise Jesus for what He’s done and tell others about Him. As Christians we should take the exhortations of Hebrews 13 to heart and honor the Lord in what we do. But we should always remember the main part – Jesus and what He’s done for us.