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 that you may do his will, working in us [you] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13.20-21
Over the course of the next several weeks we will be looking at Biblical benedictions and doxologies primarily from the New Testament. A benediction is God’s word being spoken to God’s people. The apostle Paul included or ended every epistle with a benediction. Jude and the author of Hebrews each have a benediction that is widely used at the close of a worship service. It is important to keep in mind is that the benediction at the close of worship is not the end of something but a blessing, a sending a commissioning. It is a summary word of encouragement from God reminding his children he knows them and will be with them. Thus, it is a word from God to keep in the forefront of your devotional thoughts. They are words that will help to shape your actions and underpin all your relationships.
Doxologies are the words of God’s people speaking to God; though often, if not always, rooted in God’s self-revelation in Scripture. For example, 1 Timothy 1.17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.Sometimes, benedictions and doxologies overlap as in the case of the extraordinary conclusion of Jude 24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling … be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority …” As with a benediction there is great profit in knowing doxological language; it will enrich your prayer-life and help shape your worldview. Afterall, it is God who is at work within you as you are at work within the world.
As the author of Hebrews closes his epistle, the God of peace speaks through him words of assurance and comfort reminding you that God is with you through the resurrection of his son Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Jesus’ blood atonement seals the eternal covenant spoken of throughout the Old Testament. By equipping you with everything good he encourages you to live a faithful life in persevering obedience to do his will. In this benediction there is an echo of the great themes of the Bible, namely, peace, redemption, God’s faithfulness and how God has worked in the lives of men and women of faith.
Like Paul in Romans, the author of Hebrews makes a case for the necessity of justification by faith in the substitutionary atonement of Christ. What may be surprising is “that this is the only verse in the entire epistle that directly mentions the resurrection” (cf. George Hendricks https://godsverse.org/benedictions-in-the-bible/). It is through the sacrificial atonement and resurrection that Jesus reconciles you with God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5.17-21). Peace with God is ultimately the source of all lasting peace. God’s peace restores normalcy to the soul by bringing men into fellowship with himself.
As you have received peace with God; that is, you have been reconciled to God by the Prince of Peace, so, then, you ought to strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12.14-17). The warning in chapter 12 is not unrelated to the benediction. Peace is a heart issue, and you do not want to miss out on the grace of God. Psalm 23 is one of many passages in the Old Testament where we read of God as our shepherd. In the New Testament this theme is carried over to Christ who is the great shepherd of the sheep. Jesus himself says he is the good shepherd in John 10.
Listen to the Prince of Peace who is at work in your life through his Spirit. Continue to pursue holiness. In so far as it depends upon you be at peace with others. Strive to live an uncommon life of faithfulness. Remember it is God who is at work within you as you are at work in the world.
Doxologies are the words of God’s people speaking to God; though often, if not always, rooted in God’s self-revelation in Scripture. For example, 1 Timothy 1.17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.Sometimes, benedictions and doxologies overlap as in the case of the extraordinary conclusion of Jude 24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling … be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority …” As with a benediction there is great profit in knowing doxological language; it will enrich your prayer-life and help shape your worldview. Afterall, it is God who is at work within you as you are at work within the world.
As the author of Hebrews closes his epistle, the God of peace speaks through him words of assurance and comfort reminding you that God is with you through the resurrection of his son Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Jesus’ blood atonement seals the eternal covenant spoken of throughout the Old Testament. By equipping you with everything good he encourages you to live a faithful life in persevering obedience to do his will. In this benediction there is an echo of the great themes of the Bible, namely, peace, redemption, God’s faithfulness and how God has worked in the lives of men and women of faith.
Like Paul in Romans, the author of Hebrews makes a case for the necessity of justification by faith in the substitutionary atonement of Christ. What may be surprising is “that this is the only verse in the entire epistle that directly mentions the resurrection” (cf. George Hendricks https://godsverse.org/benedictions-in-the-bible/). It is through the sacrificial atonement and resurrection that Jesus reconciles you with God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5.17-21). Peace with God is ultimately the source of all lasting peace. God’s peace restores normalcy to the soul by bringing men into fellowship with himself.
As you have received peace with God; that is, you have been reconciled to God by the Prince of Peace, so, then, you ought to strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12.14-17). The warning in chapter 12 is not unrelated to the benediction. Peace is a heart issue, and you do not want to miss out on the grace of God. Psalm 23 is one of many passages in the Old Testament where we read of God as our shepherd. In the New Testament this theme is carried over to Christ who is the great shepherd of the sheep. Jesus himself says he is the good shepherd in John 10.
Listen to the Prince of Peace who is at work in your life through his Spirit. Continue to pursue holiness. In so far as it depends upon you be at peace with others. Strive to live an uncommon life of faithfulness. Remember it is God who is at work within you as you are at work in the world.
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