Outside the Camp
A brief comment on Hebrews 13:11-16
In this brief passage, Paul changes the metaphor that he is using. For much of the book of Hebrews he pictures Jesus as the high priest, as the one who offers atoning sacrifices, for indeed he was pleased to offer up his life. Yet unlike the high priests in the old covenant, he had no sin to atone for, so he could offer himself. It is the fact that this priest has an offering worthy, one that is effective to take away the sin of the world, that sets him apart. Here Paul talks not about Jesus the high-priest forever, but Jesus the sin offering. In the old covenant, the offal of the offerings, those parts that were not burned on the alter, were taken outside the camp. Before these animals were killed the priest would lay hands on the animals, and would confess their sins over them. The sin of the offerer was to be killed with the animal. Sin then was what killed the animal and the body was treated as if it were sin, it became unclean. This is the reason why it was burned outside the camp. Unclean things were taken out of the camp to prevent them from polluting the people of God. Jesus then suffered also outside the camp. Golgotha was an unclean place outside the city gates. He was the sacrificial lamb, the one who actually bore the sins of the world. Jesus became unclean, not with his own sins, but with ours. So he suffered as a criminal, outside the camp. We too are bid come and follow him. Not in the comfort within the camp, but outside the camp. We too are to suffer for the sins of others, to offer pleasing sacrifices unto the Lord. Not that we actually take away sins, but that we are the aroma of Christ. In bearing the reproach that he endured we show ourselves to be citizens of another city, not one built by human hands, but a greater one who's architect and builder are God. The fruit of our lips, is the recognition of who he is, and how wonderful his works toward us. Our good deeds, our sacrificial giving are the outward signs of the one who is a living sacrifice.
In this brief passage, Paul changes the metaphor that he is using. For much of the book of Hebrews he pictures Jesus as the high priest, as the one who offers atoning sacrifices, for indeed he was pleased to offer up his life. Yet unlike the high priests in the old covenant, he had no sin to atone for, so he could offer himself. It is the fact that this priest has an offering worthy, one that is effective to take away the sin of the world, that sets him apart. Here Paul talks not about Jesus the high-priest forever, but Jesus the sin offering. In the old covenant, the offal of the offerings, those parts that were not burned on the alter, were taken outside the camp. Before these animals were killed the priest would lay hands on the animals, and would confess their sins over them. The sin of the offerer was to be killed with the animal. Sin then was what killed the animal and the body was treated as if it were sin, it became unclean. This is the reason why it was burned outside the camp. Unclean things were taken out of the camp to prevent them from polluting the people of God. Jesus then suffered also outside the camp. Golgotha was an unclean place outside the city gates. He was the sacrificial lamb, the one who actually bore the sins of the world. Jesus became unclean, not with his own sins, but with ours. So he suffered as a criminal, outside the camp. We too are bid come and follow him. Not in the comfort within the camp, but outside the camp. We too are to suffer for the sins of others, to offer pleasing sacrifices unto the Lord. Not that we actually take away sins, but that we are the aroma of Christ. In bearing the reproach that he endured we show ourselves to be citizens of another city, not one built by human hands, but a greater one who's architect and builder are God. The fruit of our lips, is the recognition of who he is, and how wonderful his works toward us. Our good deeds, our sacrificial giving are the outward signs of the one who is a living sacrifice.