Early in September 2011, a raging wildfire destroyed 600 homes in and around the city of Bastrop in central Texas. A few weeks later an article in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper carried this headline: “People who lost the most, focus on what wasn’t lost.” The article described the community’s outpouring of generosity and the realization of those who received help that neighbors, friends, and community were worth far more than anything they lost.
The writer of Hebrews reminded first-century followers of Jesus to recall how they had bravely endured persecution early in their life of faith. They stood their ground in the face of insults and oppression, standing side by side with other believers (Heb. 10:32-33). “You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions” (v. 34). Their focus was not on what they had lost but on eternal things that could not be taken from them.
Jesus told His followers, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). As we focus on the Lord and all that we have in Him, even our most precious possessions can be held lightly.
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The letter to the Hebrews has one dominant theme—the superiority of Christ over everything. This theme is developed as He is described as the ultimate revelation the Father has given of Himself (1:1-3). He is superior to the angels (1:4-14) and He is superior to Moses (3:1-16). Jesus is also portrayed as giving a better rest (ch. 4) and serving as a better high priest (4:14-15). Christ came to be the superior, once-for-all sacrifice for our sin (9:11–10:18). This was an important reminder for the Jewish recipients of this letter, who were apparently in danger of drifting away from the truth of the sufficiency of Christ. Bill Crowder
