Good News for Misfits: Finding Your Place "Outside the camp"
- Thad DeBuhr
- 5 days ago
- 11 min read
Hebrews Chapter 13, verses 10 through 16.
The Main Message: It's a radical call for Christians to leave behind the old, empty religious systems and rituals to identify with Jesus, the ultimate outsider. It redefines worship as not a ritual in a building, but a continuous sacrifice of praise and a life of doing good and sharing with others.
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What if you feel like a misfit?
Have you ever tried to find your place in church, only to walk away feeling like something was wrong with you? You visited the big, modern church with the coffee bar, the smaller traditional church with its hymns, and even the high-energy one with the lights and smoke machines. You tried to fit in, to feel connected to the systems, the polished worship, the stage, and the programs, but it all felt a little... distant. You wonder, "Am I being too picky? Too critical?" Maybe. But what if you're not? What if that inner nudge to go beyond the walls is actually a good call, pointing you toward something far more authentic?
That feeling, that pull to move away from the traditional "camp" of religion and toward something better, is one of the very things the author of Hebrews used to help the struggling Christians he was writing to. He gave them a message of hope and affirmation: leaving the old ways and pursuing Jesus with other like-minded people was not only a great direction, it was the only way. It's no surprise that you feel drawn to this path, because that's the very place Jesus was crucified—outside the city gates. The cross is the foundation of our faith and the vehicle for us to receive God's grace.
So maybe it's time to stop feeling guilty for not fitting in, to stop thinking something is wrong with you, and to embrace that inner nudge. It's a call to go beyond the gates, seek out others to pursue Jesus with, go to the cross together, offer sacrifices of praise and good deeds, and truly care for those in need. What if there truly is a better way "outside the camp?"
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews chapter 13, verses 10 through 16 in a couple of different translations.
Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Setting the Scene: Why This Matters
Hebrews chapter 13, verses 10 through 16 is a fascinating and somewhat jarring section of scripture. The author, who knows his audience is steeped in Jewish tradition and temple worship, draws a stark contrast. The writer has just talked about Christ as our anchor, our high priest, and the one through whom we offer a new kind of sacrifice. Now, he's telling us to do something that would have been deeply unsettling for a Jewish person: to "go out to him, outside the camp."
To understand the weight of this command, we have to look back at the Old Testament. N.T. Wright, in his book "Hebrews for Everyone," points out that the author is referencing the purification rituals described in Leviticus, particularly the Day of Atonement. The high priest would take the blood of the sacrifice into the holy of holies, but the body of the animal—the carcass—was taken outside the camp and burned (Leviticus chapter 6, verses 29 and 30, and also verse 16, verse 27). It was considered ceremonially unclean and had to be disposed of outside the sacred space.
Brad Gray from Walkingthetext.com explains that this act of going outside the camp was a radical act of renunciation. It was a physical and symbolic separation from the sacred, established norms of Jewish life centered on the Temple. Craig S. Keener adds that the author's parallel is clear: Christ, our ultimate sacrifice, was crucified outside the city gates of Jerusalem. He was treated as an outcast, an unclean thing, just like the sacrificial animal’s carcass. By telling us to go to Jesus "outside the camp," the author is urging us to identify with Jesus in His rejection and shame.
This isn’t a call to become outcasts for the sake of it, but a profound call to solidarity with Christ. We are to leave behind the safety and comfort of what we consider "sacred" in our own traditions and join Him in His suffering and rejection. It's a call to move from the old way of doing things—from the earthly, physical temple—to the new, spiritual reality of Christ.
The New Sacrifice
After urging us to go outside the camp, the author connects this action to a new kind of offering: a "sacrifice of praise." The old sacrifices—the bulls and goats—are no longer necessary. We now offer something far more meaningful. The author mentions two specific things:
A sacrifice of praise: This is not just a Sunday morning song. It's an offering of thanks that comes from our lips, acknowledging His name. This is a life of continuous worship, a joyful response to who God is and what He has done.
A sacrifice of doing good and sharing with others: This is the practical, hands-on expression of our faith. This is where our love for God is made visible to the world. This isn't just a suggestion; it’s part of our worship. It’s what our lives look like when we truly live "outside the camp" with Christ. Our generosity and good works are a fragrant offering to God.
This passage is a powerful reminder that our faith isn't just about what we believe; it's about how we live. It's about being willing to step outside of our comfort zones, to identify with Christ in His suffering, and to offer our lives as a living sacrifice of praise and service.
Leaving the "Camp" of Religious Systems
The phrase "outside the camp" (Hebrews chapter 13, verse 13) is a powerful metaphor for the modern believer who feels a pull away from institutionalized religion. For the first-century Jewish Christian, "the camp" represented the Temple system—a complex, centuries-old framework of rituals, laws, and traditions. It was meant to bring them closer to God, but it had become a source of false security and, in some cases, a barrier to a personal relationship with Jesus.
In the same way, many modern denominations have built up their own "camps." These can include:
Strict rules and regulations that go beyond biblical commands.
Traditions and rituals that have lost their original meaning and have become empty routines.
A focus on the "building" or the "brand" of the church rather than on the person of Jesus.
For a believer feeling this disconnect, Hebrews chapter 13 is a radical invitation. It says, "Don't be afraid to go outside that camp." This isn't a call to abandon the church entirely, but to shift our primary loyalty from the institution to Christ Himself. The author's point is that our true source of life and identity isn't found in the sacred space of the building or the security of our denominational traditions, but in the shame and suffering of Christ, who was crucified outside the gate.
Answering the Critics
Critics who claim that a digital ministry or a community that meets outside of a traditional church isn't "valid" or "real" often operate from a model of church that equates authenticity with physical presence. They might argue that online connections are superficial or lack accountability.
While these points have a kernel of truth—physical presence can deepen relationships—they miss the larger picture. The core issue is not the medium of connection but the authenticity of the heart. We can acknowledge that digital ministry has limitations, but we must also recognize the shortcomings of the traditional church model. For example, a person can attend a church service for years and still be completely isolated. Furthermore, the "camp" of tradition can be a barrier to Jesus, and location-based communities exclude many who feel like outcasts.
The most powerful response is to redefine what a "real" community is. It's not about the building or the platform; it's about the motive. A "real" community is one where people are:
Prioritizing Jesus: They are committed to Him as their King and Savior above all else.
Loving God and loving others: This is the core command. It's not about the building, but about genuine love expressed in word and deed.
Living for Him in genuine ways: The authenticity comes from the heart, not the format.
Ultimately, we are not asking people to choose between in-person and digital. We are inviting them to prioritize Jesus. The "camp" we are called to leave is not the local body of believers but the empty religious systems that obscure the very person we are called to follow.
An out-of-the-box ministry like YourJesusJourney.com that fosters authentic relationships, focuses on the Word, and encourages active service is a valid and vital part of God's kingdom, helping modern-day misfits find their place in the family of Jesus.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
Questions for you to chew on & discuss
What does "outside the camp" look like in your life? What "camp" do you need to step out of to fully follow Jesus?
How can you cultivate a "sacrifice of praise" in your daily life, not just on Sunday?
How can you offer a "sacrifice of doing good and sharing" with others in a tangible way this week?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Hebrews chapter 13, verses 10 through 16 says that we are to go to Jesus "outside the camp," bearing the same reproach He did. It also says to "not neglect to do good and to share what you have." Discuss a time when you had to step out of your comfort zone or "camp" to live out your faith. What was the outcome, and what did you learn about God's faithfulness through that experience?
Applying This Today
This passage has profound implications for Christians today. "The camp" can represent many things: the comfort of our social circles, the security of our traditions, or the fear of being seen as different. To live "outside the camp" with Christ means to:
Embracing the Outsider Status
This isn't about being an outcast for the sake of it, but about accepting that our values, which are rooted in Christ, will often put us at odds with both the world and with religious traditions that have lost their way. It's a refusal to conform to a culture of consumerism, political tribalism, or empty religious performance.
Real-life scenario: Imagine a young adult who feels alienated from their family's traditional, large, and program-driven church. They've grown tired of the polished performances, the focus on attendance numbers, and the social pressure to fit in. They find that their deepest spiritual growth happens not in the pews, but in a small group that meets over Zoom for a raw and vulnerable discussion of scripture. When their family or friends question why they aren't "going to a real church," they can embrace their "outsider" status. They are choosing to identify with Jesus, the one who was rejected by the religious establishment, rather than clinging to a social system that provides comfort but lacks authenticity. They can explain that their faith is found in genuine community and a deep relationship with Jesus, not in a building or a brand.
Prioritizing Service and Sharing
This is the new temple. Our worship isn't just expressed in song on a Sunday morning; it's expressed in our actions throughout the week. The author of Hebrews tells us that acts of generosity and good deeds are a sacrifice pleasing to God. It's a shift from a faith that is primarily about receiving to a faith that is primarily about giving.
Real-life scenario: Consider a professional who feels a pull to live out their faith in a tangible way, beyond just attending a weekly service. They realize that their greatest act of worship is not singing hymns on Sunday but using their skills and resources to serve others. Instead of giving their time to a church building committee, they start a volunteer group with friends to help local single mothers with home repairs. They use their professional expertise to offer free financial counseling to families in their community who are struggling. This person's "altar" isn't a physical structure; it's the living, breathing needs of the people they serve. Their worship is visible and impactful, a fragrant offering to God.
Finding Our Identity in Christ Alone
In a world that constantly tells us our worth is found in our achievements, our social status, or our denominational affiliation, this passage reminds us that our true security is found in Christ. We are not defined by the "camp" we belong to, but by the one who suffered outside the gate for us. This frees us from the need to please others, to perform for approval, or to rely on religious systems for our identity.
Real-life scenario: A person who grew up in a very legalistic church tradition feels immense guilt and shame over past mistakes. They have always believed that their worth was tied to how well they followed the rules of their church and avoided certain behaviors. Despite their best efforts, they constantly feel like a failure. Through the message of Hebrews chapter 13, they come to understand that their identity is not in their performance or their past, but in Jesus, who took on all the shame and reproach "outside the camp." They learn to stop relying on a religious system for their security and instead find their rest and peace in Christ's finished work. This new freedom allows them to truly love and serve others without the burden of having to earn their salvation.
Ready to Go Outside the Camp?
Following Jesus is an adventure, and it's best not to go it alone. If you're tired of doing Christianity on your own, it's time to join a Journey Group! They're like a spiritual GPS—you won't get lost, you’ll have a community of fellow travelers, and you’ll get to hear about their wild journeys. Plus, we promise there will be no awkward dancing... at least not at first.
To learn more, get connected in a group, or learn how to start one, head over to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.
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