Jesus Outside The Walls 7

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Hebrews 13:12-13 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.

We sure do try to keep Jesus within the lines that we have drawn up for Him. 

Do you remember the line that Simon sought to enclose Jesus within: “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”  It is a line about Jesus and the type of people he is linked with — we probably can see some residue of that type of line even in our own thinking — Jesus, you are way more closely linked to this group of people than to those. 

Lines… gates… walls…
Jesus steps right over Simon’s misplaced lines and invites Simon to join Him outside that limited form of thinking.

It is a pattern that happens often with Jesus — doing His amazing work outside gates, outside lines, outside walls and then extending an invitation to join Him outside the gates.

This pattern started with Jesus’ arrival occurring outside the walls — being born in a cattle stall, being laid in a manager — and the invitation to the shepherds to come be with Jesus outside the boundaries of their fields.

The same pattern is evident in His interactions with Zaccheaus under a sycamore tree; with a woman beside a well; with a group of fishermen in a boat on a stormy sea. Jesus steps right over misplaced lines and then extends an invitation to join him outside the ‘gate’.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that this pattern is found even in Jesus’ greatest work — referring to the cross.

     Born outside the walls,
lived outside the lines,
died outside the gates.
And the invitation continues…
 go to him outside the camp.

Thank you, Jesus, that you do not stay within our misplaced lines!

Jesus’ greatest work occurs outside the gate with an invitation to come to Him at the foot of the cross.

Brad Mann

Brad@claycentercovenant.com