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The Scriptorium

Benediction

Hebrews ends where it began - with Jesus and the grace of God.

Hebrews 13 (6)

Introduction

The book of Hebrews ends with one of the most beautiful benedictions in the Bible, followed by an exhortation to endure, a promise of presence, and a prayer for grace. As Jeremiah and all the prophets understood, God’s last word to His people is always a word of grace and benediction. 

Meditate on Jeremiah 32.36-44.

Read Hebrews 13.20-25.

Think it through.

1. How would you summarize “the everlasting covenant” of God? What is it? What makes it so important? What kind of power to protect and save is suggested by the description of God in verse 20? Why would that have been an important reminder for the first readers of this book? Why is it an important reminder for us? How do you need to know that power today?

2.  The writer wants his readers to be “complete in every good work to do His will.” What does this involve? How do we grow to become more complete in Christ? For us to be complete in Christ, God must be “working in” us according to His pleasure and will (cf. Phil. 2.12, 13). How do we get into the place where God can work within us? Does that mean that we too have to “bear with” the Word of God amid the trials of our daily lives? Explain. The writer’s last word to these suffering believers is grace. Is that the word or experience you leave with people? Should it be?

Meditate.
“He appended the usual conclusion, invoking on them a share in grace. As for us, let us sing the praises of the giver of old laws and new. And let us pray to receive grace from him so that by observing the divine laws we may attain the promised goods, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom with the Father and the all-holy Spirit be glory, now and forever, for ages of ages.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466AD)

… Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 
Colossians 1.27, 28

Let me be an agent of grace and truth today, O Lord. Show me how and help me to be Jesus to…

Pray Psalm 125.
This psalm ends with a wish of peace for the people of God. That peace comes from the grace of God (vv. 1-4). Thank God for the many ways He shows you His grace, and call upon Him to keep you in His peace as you go out to work your Personal Mission Field today.

Psalm 125.1-5 (St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
Like the hills surrounding safe Jerusalem, 
Christ surrounds His Church and holds her in His mighty Hand!
Refrain, v. 1
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!

Wickedness shall rest not on this holy land; 
Sinfulness shall never come forth from their hand.  
Trusting in the Savior, firm in His caress, 
Ever shall His favor on this holy city rest. 
Refrain

Lord, do good and care for those upright in heart. 
All who turn to evil shall from You depart. 
Sinful men may increase; send them, Lord, to hell!
Save Your people, let your peace abound in Israel!
Refrain

T. M Moore

Do you receive our twice-weekly teaching letter Crosfigell? Here the wisdom of God’s Word and that of our Celtic Christian forebears speaks to us of how to follow Him in our day. Begin reading Crosfigell by clicking here, then use the pop-up on the home page to subscribe. Crosfigellcomes out on Tuesday and Thursday.

For a better understanding of the book of Hebrews, and all the books of the Bible, order a copy of the workbook, 
God’s Covenant, from our online store. The studies in this workbook will show you how the parts of the Bible connect with one another to tell the story of God’s redemption and glory (click here). To learn more about Christ in His exaltation, order the book, The Kingship of Jesus (click here).

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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