Hebrews 13: The Altar We Live From
Scripture Focus:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
— Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”
— Hebrews 13:14 (ESV)
Reflection:
Hebrews 13 brings us down from the mountain of heavenly theology to the dust of daily life. After chapter after chapter of lifting our eyes to the heavenly priesthood, covenant, sanctuary, and kingdom, the author now brings it home: How then shall we live?
He says:
Love one another like family.
Show hospitality to strangers.
Remember prisoners as if chained with them.
Honor marriage.
Keep your life free from the love of money.
In other words, let your worship become lifestyle.
The chapter then gives us the anchor of it all:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
When everything else shifts—leaders, trends, systems, emotions—Jesus does not change.
The One who bled for you yesterday is interceding for you today and preparing glory for you tomorrow.
A Better Altar
The author goes further:
“We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.” (v.10)
We no longer live from the old system. We don’t come to a temple built with hands.
Jesus is our altar. His body is our offering. His blood is our access.
We live from His presence now.
We feast on His grace.
We offer spiritual sacrifices—praise, generosity, doing good, sharing with others (v.15–16).
Pilgrims, Not Settlers
Hebrews ends with a prophetic reminder:
“Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”
We are pilgrims, not settlers.
We live light.
We give freely.
We serve boldly.
Because we’re not trying to build our kingdom here—we’re living for a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Takeaway:
Worship is not just a song—it’s a lifestyle.
Jesus is not just a theology—He’s the altar, the offering, and the eternal High Priest.
This world is not your home—so live for the city that is coming.
Let your life be the kind of worship that pleases God—not just emotional praise, but lives of obedience, purity, hospitality, and endurance.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Teach me to live a life of worship—one that reflects You in how I love, serve, give, and speak. May I live from Your altar and long for Your Kingdom. Shake anything in me that tries to find home in this world, and set my heart on the city to come. Let my life please You, the One who never changes. Amen.