Radical Love in Action: A Deep Dive into Hebrews 13:1-3
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 24
- 10 min read
Hebrews Chapter 13, verses through 3
The Main Message: The hallmark of true Christian faith is active, brotherly love, demonstrated through hospitality to outsiders and solidarity with the suffering, which creates a visible, unwavering community in a hostile world.
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The Power of Tangible Love
A few years ago, a young family found themselves completely stranded when their car broke down on a remote, snowy road. With no cell service, they began to despair as the temperature dropped. Just as they were losing hope, a truck pulled over. A man they had never met offered to not only drive them home but also to go back the next day with a tow truck to get their car. His kindness was a lifeline, a tangible example of what it means to care for a total stranger.
This act of grace wasn't just a favor; it was a profound illustration of radical hospitality and a powerful testimony to the strength of human connection. It's this same kind of radical, life-giving love that the author of Hebrews calls us to today.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews chapter 13, verses 1 through 3 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
The Power of Brotherly Love in a Hostile World
The book of Hebrews is a powerful letter written to a group of first-century Christians who were feeling exhausted and discouraged. They were under immense pressure from their Jewish community to give up their new faith in Jesus. They were being ostracized and some were likely even imprisoned. After spending chapters making a strong case for why Jesus is greater than anything—better than angels, better than the law, better than their old traditions—the author finally gets to the "so what?" of it all.
He shifts from deep theology to practical, everyday instructions on how to live out their faith. He starts with a powerful command: "Let mutual love continue" (Hebrews chapter 13, verse 1).
The phrase "mutual love" comes from the Greek word philadelphia, which literally means "brotherly love." This isn't just a vague feeling; it's an active, specific commitment to care for fellow believers. In a culture where these Christians were outsiders, this love was their lifeline. Their identity was now tied to this new family in Christ.
The author then gives two specific, challenging ways to express this love: hospitality and solidarity with the suffering.
In Hebrews chapter 13, verse 2, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it," the author is referencing well-known Old Testament stories, like Abraham's encounter with angels in Genesis chapter 18. Hospitality was a sacred duty in the ancient world, often the only safe way for travelers to find food and shelter, as inns were generally dangerous places. This command wasn't just about being friendly; it was a costly act that involved opening your home and resources to people you might not know.
Then, in verse 3, the command gets even more direct: "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." In the first century, visiting people in prison was risky, as it was often an act of defiance against Roman authorities and could put the visitor in danger.
The word "remember" isn't a passive thought; it's an active commitment to provide for and stand with those who are suffering. The phrase "and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" expands this command even further. The original Greek for this phrase, "as if you yourselves being in the body," emphasizes a profound, embodied empathy.
The author isn't just asking for sympathy; he's urging his readers to internalize the pain and oppression of others as if they were experiencing it physically. This powerful command highlights that the suffering of one member of the Christian body is the suffering of the entire body. It’s a call to a radical, active form of compassion that sees the pain of others as a shared reality, compelling believers to act on their behalf.
A Real-Life Example of "Remembering a Prisoner"
As many of you know, we've been working with a group of pastors in Kenya for over a year, helping them learn how to teach the Bible and providing them with resources like Bibles and study guides.
If you haven't had a chance to see the video about how the YJJ family sent Bibles to Kenya and how they were received, I would encourage you to take a few minutes to check it out. What an encouragement!
Over the past year, they have taken their ministry teams into five or six different prisons across Kenya—from juvenile facilities to maximum-security prisons. They bring practical supplies like soap and toilet paper, which helps them gain access and show they care about the real, tangible needs of the inmates. Inside, they hold worship services and preach the gospel, and they've seen hundreds of men and women commit their lives to Christ.
During one of these visits, Pastor Daniel met a man who seemed different. As they talked, the man, an electrician, shared his story. He had been paid for a job, but the money was given to his ex-wife, who he was no longer married to. She was not trustworthy, and he never received the payment. The client, thinking he had been cheated, had him arrested. He was sentenced to a farm prison for four years or until his debt was paid. Daniel was moved by his story, especially after learning the man was a gifted electrician, a keyboard player, and good with technology—skills their churches desperately needed.
Before acting, Daniel went to the man's village to confirm his story. He learned that the man had a good reputation and was indeed a victim of deception. After hearing Daniel’s report, we talked as a group about what it would take to pay off his debt and set him free. The amount was about $200 U.S. I felt a clear leading from God to wait and not share about this man yet. My natural instinct was to tell everyone asap so we could help get this man out of prison, but God cautioned me to wait. So, I trusted God's lead and figured he would make it clear if an when I should bring his story to our YJJ family. Well this morning I woke up early and sat with my coffee and my bible to begin reading and studying Hebrews chapter 13 I felt God telling me, "This is why I wanted you to wait." As I read the first few verses it became clear why God wanted me to be patient. I think God wanted us to see this not just as a good deed, but as a tangible way to live out the very words we were studying: "Remember those in prison as if you were there yourselves."
This morning, I shared this story on the live daily Bible podcast. I invited our family to give what they could toward the $250 U.S. goal to cover the debt and a little extra for expenses. I'm excited to report that in just an hour or so, we've already had 10 people contribute!
If you want to join us in this effort, please go to www.YourJesusJourney.com and click on GIVE. All one-time donations today and tomorrow (Aug 24 and 25, 2025) will go toward this effort, and any additional funds will be used to help free others. Your donations are tax-deductible, and we'll keep you updated on this man's story and any others we are able to help.
What an incredible opportunity to immediately apply what we're learning in the Word!
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 and discuss:
What does it mean for us to show radical hospitality in our modern world? Who are the "strangers" we are called to welcome today?
Think about the last time you saw someone in need. What held you back from acting, and what would it look like for you to show them the kind of active compassion mentioned in this passage?
The author tells us to remember those suffering "as if you were together with them." This requires a deep sense of empathy. How can we cultivate this kind of empathy in a world that often encourages us to ignore or distance ourselves from suffering?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
he author of Hebrews is writing to a community facing persecution and division. He tells them that the antidote is to love one another—to be hospitable and to care for the suffering. How might our own fears (of vulnerability, of not having enough, of the unknown) get in the way of living out this kind of radical love? What’s one step we can take this week to overcome one of those fears and practice hospitality or solidarity?
How to Apply These Lessons from Hebrews Today:
The principles in Hebrews chapter 13 are not just for ancient Christians; they are timeless commands for us today.
Practice Active Hospitality: This means going beyond simple politeness to intentionally welcome and care for others, especially those outside your usual circle.
Scenario: A new family moves into your neighborhood and you see them struggling to unload their moving truck. Active hospitality isn't just waving as you drive by, but pulling over and asking if you can help, maybe even bringing them a cold drink and offering a meal after they've finished. Another example could be seeing someone new at church and not letting them stand alone. Invite them to sit with you, introduce them to a few people, and learn their story.
Stand in Solidarity: This involves more than just feeling bad for someone; it's about taking action to share their burden and stand with them.
Scenario: You hear that a colleague is going through a difficult divorce and is overwhelmed with responsibilities. Standing in solidarity could mean offering to pick up some of their tasks at work or bringing a meal for their family one evening. It could also look like advocating for a refugee family in your community, helping them with language skills, or raising funds to help with their expenses. This is about stepping into someone's pain and helping to carry it.
Build Your Community: In a world that can feel isolating, these verses remind us that our faith is meant to be lived out in community. This love for one another is our greatest strength and our most powerful testimony.
Scenario: Your small group or Bible study notices that a member has been absent for a few weeks without explanation. Building community means not just wondering what happened, but actively reaching out with a text, a call, or a visit to check on them and see if they need anything. It's about being present for each other in both the good times and the bad, creating a safe space where everyone belongs and is cared for.
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Don't Go It Alone
This kind of radical, lived-out faith is a lot to take on by yourself. In a way, trying to be a Christian alone is like trying to survive in a hostile world without a family. The author of Hebrews knew this, which is why his final commands are all about community. If you're ready to stop being a lone wolf Christian and get plugged into a group that truly lives out this kind of brotherly love, check out our Journey Groups.
Find a family to stand with, share burdens with, and show radical love to. Visit www.YourJesusJourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about joining one or starting your own.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
Your Jesus Journey is an independent, non-denominational Christian ministry. We're fueled by God's grace and the generosity of our supporters. Our team—led by Pastor Thad and his wife Kaila—is made up of dedicated disciples from all over the United States. Together, we work to help people understand the Bible, find Christian friends, and grow as disciple-makers.
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There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at www.YourJesusJourney.com!
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In this video, I take you through a practical brake job on my truck and show you how it's a perfect metaphor for life's journey. Just like a vehicle needs new brakes to stop safely, we sometimes need a new direction to avoid a crash. The story of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 reminds us that no matter how far we've strayed, a new beginning is always possible through forgiveness and grace.
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