For thirteen chapters, the author of Hebrews has encouraged, warned, and exhorted us to persevere in the Christian faith. Jesus fulfils all God’s promises to save us from our sin, and is the substance of the ordinances and administrations of the Old Testament. We should willingly bear the same rejection and reproach of the world which Jesus bore, because it is in Jesus that we find peace with God.

As the author of Hebrews concludes his letter, he pronounces a blessing and offers greetings to his readers and hearers. In these last words in Hebrews 13:20-25, he prays that God would equip us, work in us, and shower his grace upon us.

Verses 20 to 22 are described as a benediction, which means “good word”. The words found here are a blessing and encouragement, often found at the end of New Testament letters and often pronounced at the end of a church service.

Firstly, the author prays that God would equip us. He prays “now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good” (vv.20-21). He describes God as the God of peace, the God who by his own will and act has brought peace between us and him (Romans 5:6-8), and grants us peace even in the midst of troubles and trials in the world.

The God of peace is the one who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead. This is the only time that the author speaks explicitly of the resurrection (he has referred elsewhere to Jesus’ ascension). But he makes clear that the peace we have with God comes through Jesus, who is not dead but alive and ascended on high. Therefore he is an active great shepherd of the sheep, the one who watches over his people.

Jesus the great shepherd is the one who blesses and equips us by the blood of the eternal covenant. As the author has explained over the course of his letter, that is Jesus’ own blood shed as part of the eternal covenant of grace. Through Jesus, our great high priest, the great shepherd, whose own blood saves us and brings us peace with God, we are equipped with everything good.

Secondly, the author prays God would work in us. God equips us with every good thing through Jesus Christ so “that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (vv.21-22). God equips us through Jesus to work in us to sanctify us and help us to live the lives of thankful obedience and perseverance which we have been encouraged and exhorted to live over the previous chapters.

He prays that God would work in us so that Jesus, God in flesh, may be glorified. He asks God to equip us through Christ that we may do good deeds through Christ so that we may bring glory to Christ.

Thirdly, he wishes us to be showered in grace. After offering greetings from himself and from others with him (vv.23-24), he ends his letter with a blessing: “grace be with all of you” (v.25). The author has written because he wants his readers and hearers to live in God’s grace, to receive God’s grace, and to persevere in God’s grace. This grace is not just for a select few, but for everyone.

As we read these words, we should be reminded that it is God who has sought to bless us and greet us back into his loving presence, through Jesus Christ. God is a God of peace, who provides us with stability in the turbulence of life in a sinful world and the struggles of faith.

It is God who demonstrates his power to give eternal life because he has raised Jesus from the dead, and raised Jesus to his side. It is through Jesus’ blood that the promises of God in the covenant of grace are ratified and our sins set aside. It is through Jesus, our great shepherd, that we are watched over, kept and preserved, from the lures and snares of this world.

All this is done so that we may be equipped through the Holy Spirit to do God’s will and offer sacrifices of praise which please God, to the praise and glory of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ forever.

So, “may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Come worship with us this Sunday at 10:30am. We worship together at Kelburn Normal School hall, 16 Kowhai Rd, Kelburn. We hope to see you there!