“Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach” Hebrews 13:13. Therefore connects us with what has been said previously, verse 12 calling our attention to Leviticus 16 where in verse 27 we learn that the bodies of the sin offering whose blood was used in making atonement in the holy place on the day of atonement was burned outside the camp, this offering being a prophetic picture of Jesus our perfect sin offering, crucified at Golgotha which we understand was outside the city of Jerusalem at that time. Thus the call to go forth to Him outside the camp, away from the Temple rituals and traditional religious practices “which can never take away sins…” which His sacrifice does Hebrews 10:11-18, nether can they give life; they could only point to Him who alone could say “I am…the life” John 14:6, and “I have come that they may have life…” John 10:11. So we are called to leave all religious practices and traditions and come out to Him! Not only are we called to separation from religious forms and traditions, but also from our old ways, “Come out from among them, And be separate…” 2 Corinthians 6:17, which may at times include old friends, not that we become enemies or no longer associate in any way, but because we no longer practice the old things or go to the places of disreputable activity some may disassociate form us, or will mock and jeer; the Bible says “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you…” 1 Peter 4:14, remember that coming out to Him includes “bearing His reproach.” With Abraham of old we are looking forward to “the city which has foundations, (it is secure and everlasting) whose builder and maker is God” Hebrews 11:10, looking to our heavenly reward with Christ “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.
Coming to Jesus
By Rose Hill
We walk away from the old way of sin,
Willing to bear a reproach with Him.
When with our whole heart we believe,
Then great joy we will receive.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. Used by permission.