The Book of
Hebrews 12
29 verses≈ 5 min3 peopleBSB
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In this chapter
Where we are
- 1–2The SonGod's final word, above the angels
- 3–4:13Enter His restGreater than Moses; today, hear Him
- 4:14–7Our high priestTempted like us, a priest forever
- 8–10:18A new covenantOne sacrifice, once for all
- 10:19–13Run by faithHold on; fix your eyes on JesusChapter 12
A Call to Endurance
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
Hebrews 12:1
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Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
0:18
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
God Disciplines His Sons
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:
“My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord,
and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
and He chastises every son He receives.”
The Father’s discipline
Whiteboard
The writer reads Proverbs 3 as God speaking to us as His children. Discipline is not a sign that God has turned away; it is a sign that we belong: “God is treating you as sons.” Earthly fathers did their best “for a short time,” but “God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.” It hurts at the time, but “Later on” it yields “a harvest of righteousness and peace.”
Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.
Hebrews 12:10
let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith
Hebrews 12:1–2
Reflect
A hard season
The writer is honest: “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful.” Think of a hard season you are in, or have come through. Write down what it is, and then one way God might be training you in it. Ask Him for the “harvest of righteousness and peace” He promises.
In this chapter
A Call to Holiness
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.
Question
Quick question
The writer gives a reason why God disciplines His children.
Why does God discipline us, according to verse 10?
An Unshakable Kingdom
For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
Two mountains
Whiteboard
At Sinai (Exodus 19–20) Israel stood before a mountain of fire, darkness and a trumpet blast, and begged that no further word be spoken. The writer says: that is not where you have come. “Instead, you have come to Mount Zion,” the heavenly Jerusalem, to God and His joyful people, and to Jesus, whose “sprinkled blood” speaks “a better word than the blood of Abel.”
Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. “For our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28–29
Pray
An unshakable kingdom
We have not come to a mountain of fear but to “Jesus the mediator of a new covenant.” Thank God that in Him you are “receiving an unshakable kingdom.” Ask Him to fix your eyes on Jesus today, and to help you run with endurance, “with reverence and awe.”
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Hebrews 12
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A verse to carry with you
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1–2
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