Hebrews 13:9-14
We all face tests and trials; but we do not all face the same tests and trials. The original readers of the book of Hebrews were facing a hard choice. They were going to have to choose between Jesus and their Jewish heritage. They were going to have to choose between their new family of Christian brothers and sisters and their birth family and extended family of Jews. The non-believing Jewish members of their family and friends were forcing them to make this choice. They could choose to return their Jewish heritage or they could choose to remain Christians but they could not do both. The Romans were making the decision even harder; if they remain Christians, they would face persecution and often death.

Hebrews has made a systematic argument that Christ is greater than anything the Jewish religion has to offer. Christ is greater than the law, He is greater than angels are, and He is greater than Moses or the prophets. The sacrifice of Christ is greater than the sacrifice of animals. Christ is the perfect high priest who now lives in the very presence of God the father. Now in closing the writer is calling upon them to make their decision. He calls them to embrace Christ even though it means leaving the camp of their family and friends. Embracing Christ means bearing the disgrace that Christ bore. He reminds them that as Christians we do not live for today along; we live for eternity. The best that this world has to offer will never endure, but we are looking forward to the world that is to come.

Going outside the camp does not mean avoiding the world. It means that we are to be in the world, but the world is not to be in us. From outside the camp, Christ will use us to change the world. We will praise God, do good and share with others; and it will make a difference. Some will look beyond disgrace, and will see Christ.