It used to be that we worked hard if we wanted to be included in something.

We didn’t whine or act like a victim if we weren’t, because, believe it or not, that actually would’ve been regarded as childish behavior.  And, for the most part, we also had faith in the reliability of any promise that might guarantee that inclusion.

You could say we were fully vested in the notion of rewarded faith.

And perhaps no written work of literary truth expresses the inevitability of rewarded faith like the letter to the Hebrews in the Bible.  The eleventh chapter is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith” in many seminaries and religious circles.

I can certainly understand why.

The reader is able to easily grasp what the real essence of faith is based on the countless examples of obedience and perseverance demonstrated by the Hebrew patriarchs and other faithful men and women alluded to in the Jewish Writings of the Old Testament.

And if he’s really paying attention, he’ll notice a common thread of thought the author tried to convey throughout the chapter:  All those who acted in faith, died in faith—or in the hope of receiving what was promised.  However, they didn’t actually receive it.  [vss. 2, 13, 39]

So what does this mean to me as a present day disciple of Jesus Christ?

For one thing, it confirms my suspicion that the Hebrew letter is one of the most encouraging epistles of the New Testament.  The author didn’t provide these relevant details of people’s lives only to suggest a paradigm for the reader to follow.  At the end, he made clear exactly why they didn’t receive what was promised:

“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”  [Heb. 11:39-40]  [my emphasis]

The first thing I’d ask myself when I read this sentence is, who is “us?”

At that point, I’d have to refer back to the first clue which can indicate who this letter was written to.  That step would take me to Chapter 1, verse 14, through the third verse of Chapter 2.  Contextually, this statement is directed to those who “are about to inherit salvation.” [literally translated]

[What does it mean to “inherit” salvation? see:  Birthright Through Redemption]

So if I reckoned myself to be included by this definition, I’d do well to think about the implications of vss. 11: 39-40.  That is to say, those who died in faith and didn’t receive what was promised won’t receive it [or be made perfect] without me!

Not Abraham, not Moses, not David, not the apostle Peter, Paul or John.  Not nobody.

But what “better” thing had God provided for “us” that “they” weren’t privy too?

A central theme of the Hebrew letter was to persuade any Jewish converts from backsliding into the bondage of legalism.  There was something—or rather Someone who was more suited to the task of blood atonement and mediation.

The author declared Jesus Christ to be even better than messengers [or angels]. [vs.1:4]  A messenger was a critical medium of communication between the Jewish nation and their Lord God.  He states that “…there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God,” and “so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.”  [vss.7:19, 22]

Being made “perfect” [or complete] was a New Testament expression to describe spiritual maturity or the realization of “salvation” in its fullest dimension.  There are many references made to either circumstance.  [e.g., Matt. 19:21; 2Cor. 8:6, 10:6, 13: 9; Col. 2: 10; Ja. 1:4]

[τελειόω:  make perfect, perfect, make complete, attain perfection]

[Read how the word “salvation” means different things in the Bible: Playing to Win the Salvation Game]

Thus, we’re able to embrace yet one more good ingredient of the Good News!  While we seek to someday share in the same promises the Lord gave to our “father in faith,” Abraham [see: Gal. 3:7], we can do so even more confidently than those who weren’t able to partake in the New Covenant because we’re now able to “draw near” to the living Christ who established it. [Heb. 10:19-25]

He’s the only “messenger” we can consciously interact with!

In the Lord’s good wisdom and perfect timing, “our better hope” can lead us also to share in what was promised to “them” and experience the miracle of perfection—together. [see: Eph. 3:1-7; Gal. 3:27-29]

But even though we had something better provided for us, we also have the same hurdles to cross as they did:

“Therefore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” [Heb. 12: 1-2a]

Witnesses surround us too.  Our lives are a testimony of our faith to others as well. Endurance is the key, and Jesus is—and always has been—the Author and Perfecter of faith.

They didn’t know the Perfecter.   We do.