Hebrews 11: Jesus is the better destination

Faith forces us to locate our source of hope.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Scripture says that faith is the strong part, the foundation of what it is we hope for. Faith recognizes that there is a God continually at work. Faith is the ability to poke your head up out of whatever it is you are dealing with and anticipate a better home.

Faith isn’t about fixing what’s broken, its about remaking everything. This is why those named in aren’t known for thier ability to get out of a sticky situation. They are known for holding onto better things.

Faith is about anticipation, not expectation.

Expectation rises and falls on what we think is best. When things are going great, faith is easy because our expectations are being met.

Look at Abraham

Hebrews 11:8–10 ESV

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Abram let go of his expection of what he knew to take hold of God’s anticipation of what He would do.

Now Sarah

Hebrews 11:11–12 ESV

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Hebrews 11:13–16 ESV

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

It matters deeply that we hang onto faith even if it feels like our expectations are rotting on the vine, not only because ultimately we will find ourselves further up and farther in into our homeland through Christ but that what we anticipate also determines what we love.

Hebrews 11:32–40 ESV

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

God in His providence, invites us to take part in His work. When we act in faith, we act as citizens of His country. Loving the culture of His country, loving the values of His country. And we only know this country because Christ is the better destination. He is the One we look to and reflect in our life. He is our Home