"Bearing His Reproach"

Jewish believers in Jesus in the first century were under immense pressure from the culture, from synagogue leaders, and from their families to deny Christ and return the the rites and rituals of the Old Testament sacrificial system. In the closing verses of Hebrews 13, the writer is making one final appeal to these believers to hold fast to their faith in Christ by comparing the effects of the sacrifices of the old covenant with the once for all sacrifice of Christ.