Bearing the Reproach of Christ (Hebrews 11:24-26)

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Bonhoeffer commented that grace is free, but not cheap. Faith cost Moses something as it cost Paul something – Phil.3:7-8.

  1. Faith puts Christ above worldly honours, sin, and wealth.
    • 11:26; John 5:46; 8:56. Moses saw Christ as:
      1. worth more than worldly honours – 11:24. Philo says that Moses was a possibility for the Egyptian throne, although that seems implausible. Ex.2:11-12. You and I are easily flattered.
      2. worth more than sin – 11:25. Ralph Venning says that the pleasure of sin are like receiving counterfeit money.
      3. worth more than wealth – 11:26. John Henry Newman: ‘the world is sweet to the lips, but bitter to the taste. It please at first, but not at last. It looks gay on the outside, but evil and misery lie concealed within’. Matt.10:38-39.
  2. Faith chooses Christ and His lowly people.
    • 11:26. Christ was present with His Old Testament people – 1 Cor.10:1-4. The Anointed One was to bear the reproaches of sinners – Ps.69:9; 89:50-51. Moses went from being a prince in the Egyptian court to being a shepherd in the wilderness.
  3. Faith looks to the reward.
    • 11:26; see 11:16. Francis Xavier: Not for the sake of winning heaven,/ Or of escaping hell;/ Not with the hope of gaining aught,/ Not seeking a reward. That seeks to be more spiritual than Christ – Matt.5:10-12.