13:11
The writer now goes back to the way Levitical sacrifices were offered and uses it as a source of encouragement for the situation the Hebrew Christians were encountering. It is vital to realise that throughout Hebrews the writer makes two parallel points about the sacrifices. The first is that the sacrifice of Jesus far superseded the Levitical sacrifices and renders them obsolete, but the second is that the Law points towards the gospel. It was only a shadow, but it was a shadow. I.e. if we think there is nothing to learn from the Law then we are badly mistaken. He draws attention to the fact that while the blood was taken into the Most Holy Place, the bodies were burned outside the camp.
13:12,13
Then he points out that Jesus’ crucifixion took place outside the city gates, adding that Jesus’ blood purified the people. So Jesus bore disgrace, for crucifixion was designed to be as humiliating as possible. The Hebrews were suffering disgrace because of their faith in Christ, in doing so they were following the footsteps of Jesus. The writer urges them to be prepared to suffer disgrace for the sake of Christ. This is something we need to take on board as our societies become increasingly anti-Christian.
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