I don’t recall having heard very often sermons or teachings on the rest of Hebrews, but this chapter is preached about pretty regularly. The heroes (and heroines) of faith. While these examples are stirring, then entire chapter comes down to the last two verses.
39 And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.40 For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.
Hebrews 11:39-40
The word perfect in verse 40 is about completion or wholeness.
But the question is, what was promised? The writer doesn’t really indicate that, although we might look back on the entire letter, and figure that it is all the “better” stuff that Christ is. I’ll suggest a couple of things: we are transformed through the gospel, we are conformed to Christ, and God’s spirit lives in us, producing fruit in our lives.
What are your thoughts on the promise that the readers (and us) received that these heroes of faith did not receive?
I think all of the examples in Chapter 11 are from the Old Testament. So I think that verse 40 might refer to “Christ in you, the hope of glory”….we have Christ living in us through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus!! The mystery revealed!!! Messiah!! 🔥✝️
I am so very grateful for all the better stuff Christ is!!! Thank you!! I keep going to verse 39 and am humbled/impressed/challenged by their “long view” of faith. I really like and hope for “yes answers” to my prayers so I can see the results. I need to reorient my thinking to “long view” faith. I want to be commended for my faith and have fruit apparent in my life in the process.
We are the fortunate ones to live in the time of Christ!