LIVING IN THE HOLIEST. Hebrews 12 The people referred to in chapter 11, though they acted in faith while the rest did not, died before they saw the promised Messiah. Not even death defeats faith. They lived on the other side of the cross and yet triumphed by faith. What seemed like defeats were triumphs. They believed God but did not see the promise. In a sense, they died without being vindicated. We have an inspiring heritage!
Now on this side of the cross, the Jewish believers have better things because the living Messiah has come. Even though the faith of the Old Testament believers was evident, they weren’t made perfect without the blessing we have. In chapter 12, our attention shifts from the army of witnesses to the Author and Finisher of our faith. We must fix our sight on Christ and run for Him, not for ourselves. If we look at the wrong things, we will stumble. The first four verses of the chapter look to the past, challenging us to "consider Him" and what He has done for us and how He acted. His hands didn't hang down, nor were His knees weak, even in the worst possible suffering and opposition. We are challenged to look up and take courage.
In the section of the chapter from verse five through verse seventeen, the challenge is to "lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees." Look at the present and see what is being "down" in us. The hands we lift up may be true of others besides ours. The charge to "make straight paths" is important because others may be following our lead. That is why the charge to "follow peace" and "look diligently" so we do not fail of the grace of God is to be obeyed. A look at the future, at what will be given to us, is the subject of the last verses in the chapter. Three key subjects are also seen in the first half of the chapter: consideration, chastisement, and consecration.
The writer addresses the Hebrew epistle to Jews who were showing signs of being discouraged in their warfare. A great cloud of witnesses who had walked, worked, worshiped, and served in faith in earlier times amid opposition, held fast and persevered to the end. What they did, you can do. The success of predecessors inspires those who come after. Weights are hindrances to progress, such as material possessions, family ties, a love of comfort, any kind of encumbrance, weakness, and infirmity. For these problems, we have the High Priest. "The sin" mentioned here is probably unbelief, but that is not the only one with which we need our Lord as the Advocate. Doubt, inward sins that no one knows about except God and you, hold us like cords that we cannot detach. “Let us lay aside every sin and habit of evil tendency, which does so easily beset us and so closely cling to us, although it be admired of many.”
Many examples are given of those who ran and did obtain, but they all failed at some point. The Lord Himself ran the race before us, and He is our best guide. He began and ended His life in faith. He ran the whole race from start to finish without failing. He is the “Perfecter of faith.” In suffering, He demonstrated His perfection. His every moment was spent in absolute dependence on God. Every word and act was in response to the Father’s will. No circumstance shook His faith, even when it led to hunger, scorn, or death. If we run “looking unto Jesus”, we will see how He acted, where His strength came from, and the patience He had.
He endured the cross, the shame, the mockery of sinners. He was derided, smitten, and spit upon by creatures made by His power. He was dragged by them as a low malefactor, numbered among the transgressors, the song of the drunkards, a proverb to them, and reproached. The pain He bore on the cross was greater than physical pain. It was the pain of the perfect, spotless One being made sin for us. Judgment fell on Him from God. Men forsook Him. But He endured “as seeing Him who is invisible.” Four times in Hebrews, Jesus is seen on the right hand of God: [1:2] His work is accomplished – He is our Substitute. [8:1] As a priest – He is our Intercessor. [10:12] Awaiting the day of His power – our coming King. [12:2] As a pattern for those in the race – our Overcomer.
The Hebrews were growing weary, though they had “not yet resisted unto blood.” The thought of yielding is unworthy of those who have such a glorious Leader. There is a special crown for those who are faithful unto death [Rev.2:11]. The Hebrews had forgotten that the afflictions they suffered were not only from the hand of man but were also used by the Lord for His own purposes. If we see only the human instruments and circumstances, we may think we are at liberty to rebel. No matter what the channel, it is the Father’s will for us.
Chastening is to instruct and train, not to punish. This isn’t about anger but about parental care and discipline. A true father trains his child to form a better character. God takes us in hand and prunes, shapes, and forms us as He desires. His design is to mold us to His likeness. Trials may be hard, but their perfect work will produce likeness to our Great Model, who was “perfected through suffering.” The trials of chastening increase our faith.
The purpose of chastening is not merely to impose punishment but, by that means, to change inappropriate behavior through affliction for training purposes. By purging out that which needs chastening, it may include rebuke, punishment, and scourging of some kind appropriate to the wrong committed. Chastisement from the Lord for our benefit is a way to express real love - tough love, not sentimental feelings. Sentimental love does not produce any exercise on the part of the children of God to change. The Lord is the authority behind true chastisement. It is God Almighty who is dealing with His children. As the Father of spirits, He applies the heavenly, spiritual view of life to those who belong to Him. This is for our profit - our advantage - to bring about holiness that we might be "partakers of God's character."
Chastening is evidence that we are saved [v.6]; it is for our profit and welfare [v.10]; it is for our cleansing [v.11]; and it is to prevent us from losing our crown [v.15]. Through these experiences of chastening, we go forth and comfort others in the way God comforted us. We are to be messengers of cheer – sons of consolation. Never [1] make light of (despise) the Lord’s discipline [2] or lose heart when He rebukes you. Don’t grow hard and cynical, and let discipline pass without profit. Don’t faint under it or give in. Remember, “Whom the Lord loves, He chastens.” Correction encompasses the broad scope of general education in raising a child. God is prepared to use all means to educate us. We don’t discipline a child to make life unpleasant but to develop abilities that enable the child to live a fuller life and be able to “live.”
God gives us this time in life to prepare for eternity. We have to learn to share His holiness and His behavior. We must submit to Him and trust His wisdom to bring about the desired result. He has a right to expect us to cooperate with Him and live by His grace. Righteousness and peace will result, even though the discipline may be temporarily painful but ultimately good. We can accept it [1] with resignation, [2] with self-pity, thinking we don’t really deserve it, [3] be angry and resentful toward God, or [4] accept it gratefully.