Jesus Suffered Outside The Camp: Hebrews 13:10-14
“10) We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11) For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12) Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13) So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14) For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.” Hebrews 13:10-14
Many of the sacrifices offered in the Old Testament both in the tabernacle and the temple were eaten by the priesthood. But some were killed outside the camp and the blood was used to sanctify the priesthood, the altar, the holy place and the people. They were very special sacrifices. Their bodies were burned outside the camp.
So also Christ suffered outside the camp. His was the highest sacrifice. He was sacrificed for the sins of the whole world. He suffered outside the gate, but His blood sanctifies completely those who put faith in Him.
We who believe in Christ are invited to a different kind of feast. Our feast is the bread and the wine which represent His body that was broken and His blood which was shed for our sins. We celebrate in the heavenly temple. We look forward to His return and the city which is to come.
We are part of a very different kind of priesthood and a different temple. Peter spoke of this briefly in 1 Peter 2:4-10. We are part of a spiritual temple and a holy priesthood. We offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global