For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Hebrews 13:14
Explanation
In this passage, the preacher has alluded to going “outside the camp” which was an allusion to both the wilderness generation and to the city of Jerusalem when Christ died. Christ died outside the city, and where he died is described as an altar where he suffered and died for us. (Hebrews 13:10-13). He is not now outside the camp at the altar. He is in heaven for us. Certain animals were sacrificed outside the camp for sin. Jesus was sacrificed outside the temple and the city. This was a call for the Hebrews to abandon the unbelieving Jews in their religious system, and to choose Christ as enough. In that since they were to go outside the unbelieving city to Christ.
This city of God was referenced also in Hebrews 11:10, speaking of Abraham.
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:10
The city that is coming (v.14) is an eternal, enduring city. It is being made by God. Jesus told His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Abraham anticipated this place. So do we who believe in Christ. This was referenced in Hebrews 12:22-24.
But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of hte firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of the sprinkling, that speak to better things than that of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24
John the Revelator spoke of this city.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:3-4
Jesus in his ministry was a man without a home. We go with him outside of the gate, bearing his reproach. We are not at home in this world either. We have a city, that we look for, that will come one day. We look for that time where the temple of God will come down and be with men, and God will be with us and be our God. We look forward to a time when all the effects of sins are simply “former things”.
Even so, come Lord Jesus.
Application
We ought to be careful of a few things as we think about the implications of this verse.
- We can get too “at home” in this world. It is temporary. The world system is against everything for which God desires. Our values ought to come from another city. Our citizenship is first and foremost there and not here.
- This world is fundamentally against us. We ought not to hate our mission field, but we cannot be surprised when they are upset with our vision and values. We ought to try to reach everyone we can. We ought to speak truth to them with a heart of love like Jesus did. There are times though, like Jesus, where we should call out evil, knowing that we will not be liked for doing so.
- If this city to come is so much better than where we live now, and is eternal unlike where we live now, there must be a reason why we are still here. What is it? What can we do now that we won’t e able to do then? Jude answers this question in his 23rd verse.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jude 1:23
Response
Heavenly Father, though You’ve left me here in the world, I know that I ought not be of the world. I must utterly abandon the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of Life. These are not from you. Help me to live with the values of the city to come, and not of the world that I am in. Help me to be on mission for you, today, looking for that one who is closest to fire. I love you! Amen