A Good Saying & Glorious Word

Hebrews 13:20-21

“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 that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

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On Wednesday, April 22, I shared a video devotion or meditation from Hebrews 2:9 (HERE). I want to now fast forward to the end of the book where the author closes with a powerful benediction and doxology. Benediction literally means to “speak well of.” Doxology literally means “a word of glory.” So, in these two verses, the author is giving a blessing and praise. It's like a beautifully grand sunset.

Before I get to the verse, allow me take a brief detour.

If you had the opportunity to listen to my devo, you heard that the audience that the book of Hebrews is written to was experiencing some significant challenges. These believers were most likely living in Rome just before the Roman emperor, Nero, began his mass martyrdom of Christians. Persecution was already occurring in the form of abuse, ridicule, imprisonment, loss of possessions, and much more. Many of these Christians were former Jews, and so they also experienced ostracization from family and friends. These believers were worn down. They had become weary, discouraged, and disheartened. Some had likely moved into despair and were contemplating walking away from their faith altogether.

The author is writing to these despondent saints, encouraging them to persevere in the midst of their trials. He does this primarily by bringing them to the beauty and glory of God’s redeeming work through Christ. These weary Christians are lifted up by beholding and basking in Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice. So are we. Soak up a few of these passages:

“But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9).

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Heb. 2:14-15).

“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17).

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:11-12).

“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Heb. 9:14).

“Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant” (Heb. 9:15).

“But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26b).

“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10).

“Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2b).

“So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood” (Heb. 13:12).

Oh, this is the fuel of hope for our souls. So now, at the sunset of his letter, the author brings this theme of redemption to a benedictory prayer and praise.

First, he highlights the key roles of God the Father and God the Son. He calls God “the God of peace.” We were all enemies of God (Rom 5:10). But through this redeeming, reconciling work of Christ, we have been brought into peace with God. “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Because Jesus was raised from death to life, because Jesus poured out his blood, and because this new covenant or promise is secured eternally, God is the God of peace. Notice too that Jesus is referred to as the great shepherd of the sheep. Jesus is the good shepherd. He is the one who leads, guides, cares for, protects, and loves his sheep. He is the shepherd who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

The benedictory prayer goes on, asking that God would equip these believers with every good thing in order to do his will. When we’re discouraged or weary, it’s empowering to know that God gives us everything we need to accomplish his will. He wants us to be complete and sanctified in Christ. He wants us to persevere in trial, endure through suffering, and grow in faith. By his power and grace, he bestows everything good that we might become more and more like his Son. And in this sanctification, God is pleased – “working in us that which is pleasing in his sight.”

And all of this culminates with the praise, honor, and glory of God. The peace-making God and good-shepherding Christ has brought us into an eternal covenant through the blood of Christ and his resurrection. Not only that, he richly blesses us with gracious gifts that we might accomplish his will for his good pleasure so that God alone may receive glory forever and ever. This redeeming work crescendos to and unending doxology that we will one day join.

This was a good saying and glorious word for the early Christians. It’s a good saying and glorious word for us as well.

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~ written by John Mueller