This article is the last reflection in the series, The Book of Hebrews. It covers the last three chapters of the book: 11 through 13. 

Here’s how I’d divide the entire book. 

First, the author of the book makes the point of who Jesus is, in chapters 1 through 10. 

Remember the letter was originally addressed to a Jewish audience. Even though we still can’t tell who wrote the book, but we know for sure it was addressed to people who knew of Moses and the Prophets. 

I discussed that in the first reflection in the series on the theme, Jesus’ identity. 

 

This section of the book (chapters 1 through 10) is about convincing the people of the following: 

• Jesus is the heir of all things. 
• Jesus is the High Priest, which makes him superior to all humans and angels. 
• Jesus has granted us access to the throne of God where we can now find mercy and receive grace in times of need. 

 

I discussed the above when talking about Who Jesus is, Approaching the throne, and Moving toward maturity. 

Second, the author makes the point that we just have to believe in Christ as he talks about the concept of faith. 

This section covers chapters 11 through 13. 

All previous chapters were just to lay out the foundation, the rationale behind why choose to believe in Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. 

 

 

 

 

Faith and its three components

 

 

 

 

Read Hebrews 11:1-3,

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 

 

Of course, the first thing when it comes to faith, we immediately think of what we want or desire.

Faith in Christ redefines everything about what we want or desire. It aligns us, our plans, dreams, and wishes with what God has already done for us through Christ. 

 

Faith has three components: 

• The assurance of things hoped for. 
• The conviction of things not seen. 
• The understanding that God makes things out of nothing. 

 

These three components of faith ground us on Christ and the truth that God is capable of anything, which He does according to God’s plan for us. 

They also help us walk not by sight, but depending on what God says through God’s written or revealed Word.

 

 

 

 

Two things about faith 

 

 

 

 

The Book of Hebrews ends with two things, one coming out of chapter 12 and the other from chapter 13.

Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith (chapter 12)

Living by faith seems easy when we talk about it. But, it is very challenging when we relate it to our everyday living. God is aware of our struggles with faith in Him.

How do you continue believing in God when you don’t seem to see God at work in your life? Why do I deal with cancer (or any other illness) when I have been fearing and serving God all these years? 

There may be lots of life’s issues that can question our faith in God leading us to doubts about God’s power to resolve our problems. 

A lot of unfortunate things have happened to me in the last ten years or so. And, I’ve struggled with my faith in God too. 

Hebrews 12 comes in handy here. And, so does the rest of the Bible. It reminds us that even though we have Jesus as the founder of our faith, we still need him to perfect our faith in him. 

And, he is the only one who can help us with that. 

 

 

Faith calls us to action (chapter 13)

Faith isn’t just about us, but how we embody the love of God in the way we conduct ourselves on a daily basis. 

 

Here’s what faith propels us to do: 

• We show love to all. 
• We welcome strangers, including those we wouldn’t see ourselves living with. 
• We establish and maintain relationships that help us grow closer to God and each other. 
• We stay true to the Word of God, no matter what. 
• We work together as one body. 
• We support those in leadership. 

 

 

 

In conclusion

 

The Book of Hebrews is a reminder that Christ is the only way to God. And, through Christ, any human being can access God’s throne where they can find mercy and receive grace in times of need. It also reminds us that everything comes down to choosing to believe in Christ and allowing Him to perfect us on this faith journey.