Outside the Camp

Here is a concept and a passage from the Bible that I would expect would be unfamiliar to most people. In Hebrews 13, beginning in verse 11, the passage is talking about the fact that the sacrificial animals in the Old Testament, under the old law of the Jews, were taken "outside the camp" and burned. The blood was used for sacrifice by the High Priest, then the body of the animal was taken outside the camp.

Next the passage says, "Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate." This refers to the fact that Jesus was crucified outside the city, up on the hill of Calvary, "outside the gate." Jesus was an outsider, of no value to those who crucified Him, just as the body of the animal was under the old Jewish law.

Then the verse 13 says, "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach." This would indicate that we, as His followers, will not be accepted either. Just as the world hated Jesus, they will hate us. Just as He was out of step with the rest of the world then, we are to be out of step now. Just as He was "outside the camp," we are to be outsiders as well.

Then, in very fitting language, the verse 14 says, "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." We are seeking a city that is beyond this world. We are just passing through, with no real roots here. As Christians, we are already Spiritual people, and heading for that home that has permanent foundations (not a literal home, perhaps), a heavenly home.

Let's all be there. Let's truly commit ourselves to Him. Thanks for reading! Your friend, mike