History That Matters: Hebrews 12:1-3

“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul” (Heb. 10:39, NASB).

It matters whether or not a person knows their history. History matters because it tells us about the people in the past. History informs us of the success and failures of those that came before us. From their history we can gain knowledge about how we too can be successful and avoid mistakes and suffering. In this article I want to use the book of Hebrews to show us that knowing our faith history is the history that matters most.

This article is motivated by the cry of African Americans and other minority ethnic groups that the history books used in our education has failed to tell their story. These minorities want the books to tell about the contributions that their ancestors made to the development of this country. The book of Hebrews shows us that it is not necessary to mention the name of everyone that contributed to the community. Rather, the author has a specific purpose that he/she writes this letter to this particular Hebrew community. Again, this article seeks to show us that the history that matters most to Christians should not be about their contributions to the United States. We learn from this letter that Christians have a history of being a people that live by faith in the promises of God that are centered in the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return of Jesus Christ who is the Son of God.

The author of Hebrews writes to a community that is suffering rejection and persecution by their community of origin including family members. This community had followed the religion of Judaism until they heard the gospel of Jesus and turned to a religion based not on the Law of Moses, but one based on the work of Jesus of Nazareth. The letter is written to encourage these believers to keep their faith in Jesus. Although they are ostracized by their own family and the community that they live in each one of them should endure whatever suffering that comes into their life. Thus, the history found in the book of Hebrews is much like any other history that is written. It is addressed to a particular community. It has a specific purpose. It does not seek to include every contributor and every detail. For example John writes in his gospel, “Therefore many other signs Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (Jn. 20:30-31, NASB).

As we read through the book of Hebrews we can see that every character that is named is one who accomplishes something by their faith in God. They first recognize God as one who is sovereign. The God of Hebrew people is Jehovah. The Lord does not share His power, sovereignty and glory with any other god that people worship. God calls people to do His biddings and those that fail and succeed do so because of their faith or lack of faith in Him who calls them. Their success is determined by their obedience to God’s word. Obedience is most important because the people obey God because they have faith in His words.

The book of Hebrews is a book that tells of the progression of God through people that have faith in Him. Each person named shows us a milestone or significant event in the journey of God’s people with Him. God is progressively moving His people along their journey. Their destination is a city promised to them by God. They cannot reach that city in this life. They must wait until the Law of Moses with its sacrifices serves it main purpose. That purpose is not to save them. Rather, its purpose is to teach them their need for the Savior (See Gal. 3:23-29). The book of Hebrews is not written to tell us about the life and teachings of Jesus. The community has heard enough about Jesus to believe that He is the Savior come from God to redeem them from their sins so that they might inherit eternal life.

As stated above the author writes to this community of believers to encourage them to hold to their faith. They should stay together and continue to meet together in worship. In community worship they will find support and strength to remain faithful until the end. They are the children of people that have faith. Their very existence is based on a history of people that have faith in the promises of God. Thus, they are not only encouraged to press forward; they are also warned of the danger of falling away from the faith. This warning is given because many have returned to Judaism, and those remaining are being tempted to abandon their faith and hope in Jesus.

The author explains thoroughly the reasons for the law with its sacrifices. He explains that these sacrifices were not able to save them from sin. Their only hope of salvation is in the sacrifice of Jesus who died on the cross. It will be of no value to them if they return to Judaism, because there is not another sacrifice that can save them from their sins. He encourages them with this reminder saying, “But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul” (10:39, NASB).

The author writes the eleventh chapter to tell the audience what faith can do. This chapter is not about the people named as much as it is about faith. It is not that the person is a great person. Instead, it is about God calling everyday people. God gives the person His words. They include an invitation by command to join God in His progression of man (human beings) from sin in the garden to redemption by the blood of Jesus. Chapter eleven seeks to give examples to show what one can accomplish if they have faith. That the name of people is not the main issue is seen in verses thirty-two through forty. The author here like John admits that time will not allow him to tell about some significant persons in the life of Israel. Further, the writer tells of many accomplishments made by people of faith, but the author does not give any specific names (11:32-40).

We see in Hebrews 10:39 that the author warns the people not to shrink (apostatize) from the faith. After writing about faith in chapter eleven, the author gives additional words of encouragement. Those persons named in the previous chapter form a great cloud of witnesses waiting for them to complete their race. They are not to look to the cloud of witnesses for their strength to complete the race. Instead, they are to fix their eyes on Jesus. Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith. He suffered death on the cross because He had faith. His faith gave Him joy as he endured the cross, because He believed that even though He had to suffer the shame of dying on a criminal’s cross He would return to His Father where He would sit on the right hand of the throne of God (12:2).

History does matter. History validates a people. History points to the things that have been accomplished and points to a future. African Americans and other minorities want their stories told. They want the citizens of the majority community (white) to appreciate their contributions to the development of this nation. In like manner the history that matters most to disciples of Jesus is to know that faith is the key to living a life that is pleasing to God. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone. We may be complete failures in the eyes of the world, but we are children in the eyes of God. Let us learn about faith as seen through the many characters written about in all the scriptures.