A Final Reminder and Encouragement
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Blessings and Encouragements
The book of Hebrews begins and ends with the importance and supremacy of Jesus as God’s only Son. It begins with this reminder for believers and ends with this same reminder.
He’s greater than the prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, the Old Covenant priesthood, and His grace is greater than the Law. We’re also reminded how Jesus’ message and ministry were and are superior to the high priesthood of the Old Covenant, as an eternal High Priest like Melchizedek.
Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant—a relationship with God. He is involved in our faith and life as believers by His continuing ministry as our High Priest.
We see five warnings given in Hebrews that get progressively stronger and more personal. They remind believers to continue trusting in Jesus because of His reconciliation through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Jesus, our Chief Shepherd, is with us in the face of adversity and uncertainty in this life.
This letter ends with a blessing—often called a benediction. It is an encouragement to continue in faith, and a personal farewell. This encouragement and benediction summarize the essence of the message of this book.
Scripture Text
The God of peace brought the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, back to life through the blood of an eternal promise.
May this God of peace prepare you to do every good thing he wants. May he work in us through Jesus Christ to do what is pleasing to him. Glory belongs to Jesus Christ forever. Amen. [vss 20-21]
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to listen patiently to my encouraging words. I have written you a short letter. You know that Timothy, our brother, has been freed. If he comes here soon, both of us will visit you.
Greet all your leaders and all God’s holy people. Those who are with us from Italy greet you. May God’s good will [grace] be with all of you! [vss 22-25]
(Hebrews 13:22-25 GW) [Context– Hebrews 13
Key Phrase
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to listen patiently to my encouraging word.
Things to Consider
The beginning of the book of Hebrews declares how God personally spoke to His people, Israel. He first spoke indirectly through prophets, but in later times God spoke in person through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus is “the exact representation” of God—the personal appearance of God on earth in human form. As a man with the nature of God, He went to the cross to die to reconcile all humanity from the power and consequences of sin. After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus returned to His place in heaven at the right hand of the Father (see Hebrews 1:2-3).
Here, Jesus is described as the great Shepherd resurrected from the dead, reminding us of the very personal leadership the Lord provides to all who choose to follow Him.
This final expression of blessing is a reminder of the individual responsibility of every believer to continue following the Lord Jesus in faith. His presence and power at work in us enable us to be faithful to Him in whatever way He calls us to serve Him, as a testimony of God’s goodness.
The God of peace brought the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, back to life through the blood of an eternal promise.
May this God of peace prepare you to do every good thing he wants. May he work in us through Jesus Christ to do what is pleasing to him. Glory belongs to Jesus Christ forever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21 GW)
Digging Deeper Into the Text
What are the truths expressed in the blessing at the end of Hebrews?
How is this blessing a summary of the important truths in the book of Hebrews?
How does it speak of and describe Jesus? How is it connected to the further encouragement given after the blessing?
How are the important truths expressed in this blessing relevant for believers in our time?
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life
What are the indicators in the final greetings that the apostle Paul wrote Hebrews?
What is most encouraging to you in these last verses and why?
What truth in the book of Hebrews stands out to you as most significant and important?
How has reading and studying through Hebrews strengthened you in your faith?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
And you can also see some of my writing over on Substack too! Just click this link– Trip Kimball on Substack
