A Fitting Conclusion

At this point in the epistle, we see how much of a letter this book really is. Letters naturally elicit the kind of intimate language that requires the first person pronoun. So far, we have not seen much of the first person because of the letter’s formal nature. As the author begins to close the missive, however, the tone of the writing changes and the pronouns shift accordingly. He urges his readers, rather earnestly, to pray for him so that he might be restored to them sooner. He is a real live human being who is not there with his church but who wants to be.

Hebrews 13:20-21

We finally arrive at the benediction. This prayer might be one of the most beautiful prayers ever uttered by a Christian. It stands near the end of the letter as a declaration of absolute confidence in God. It is a prayer for the church from which the author is absent, but which he loves so dearly.

It is not a small thing to be able to say, “God of peace.” God’s disposition toward those who are in Christ is one of peace. Because of Jesus’s work on our behalf, we now know God as the God of peace. We do not have to hope that God will respond to us with peace. In the Muslim system of thought, God’s peace is something one hopes for but cannot presume upon. The reason for this is simple: Christ is missing from their theology. If it were up to us to achieve peace with God, we would always remain eternal enemies with him. Instead, we thank God that Christ has achieved that peace for us. Thus it is a wonderful thing to be able to say, “The God of peace.”

This benediction also shows the centrality of Christ’s resurrection. It is the foundation for our faith. Of all things the author could have brought up about Jesus, he chooses to emphasize his resurrection from the dead. This, among the many other reasons the author has pointed out throughout Hebrews, distinguishes Jesus from all other priests. Unlike every other high priest, Jesus is a high priest who lives.

The author also identifies Jesus as “the great Shepherd of the sheep.” What an amazing title. Of the many titles given to Jesus, could there be a sweeter one? Sheep are aimless, vulnerable creatures; they desperately need someone to take care of them. Given that the letter’s original recipients were Jews, they would have been well acquainted with the imagery of sheep. Therefore, they would have understood themselves to be Christ’s sheep, his people. We are the sheep of Jesus’s pasture. Such a designation encapsulates Christ’s pastoral love for his people. His love runs so deep for his sheep that he gives his life up for us (John 10:11).

Even in this prayer, the author does not miss another opportunity to emphasize the superiority of the new eternal covenant God has made with his people. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep precisely because he shed his blood on their behalf. And that blood establishes this eternal covenant with God. There is no need for another covenant to come. This is the “everlasting” covenant, the purpose for which God made the world: to demonstrate his glory in the salvation of sinners by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 21 tells us what the author expects the Lord to do for these people by virtue of forgiven sins through the blood of Christ. He confidently asks God to equip them with everything good so that they can do his will and please him. We need God’s help to do his will. We cannot accomplish it on our own. This is precisely why the author asks God to accomplish these things in his people.

Our aim as Christians should be to do “what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.” The only way we can please God is through Jesus. No one can please God without him. At the same time, the author asks his prayer to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ, whose great love for us leads us to glory in the Father forever and ever.

Hebrews 13:22-25

One would think the word amen that ends the benediction would also end the letter, but that is not the case. The author has a few more things to say and one last appeal to make. The writer intends for his letter to be both encouragement and exhortation. He does not write this church merely to inform them theologically. Though doing so is important, his main purpose is to exhort them to persevere in the faith, thus the appeal to bear with his word of exhortation. Dense as it may be, it is not a particularly long letter.

The writer also wants his readers to know the status of Timothy. This is the same Timothy we read about in 1 and 2 Timothy. He has been released from prison. We are not told why he had been incarcerated, but we can assume it was for the sake of the gospel. If he is able to join the author, the two will visit the readers together.

In the conclusion of the letter, we read the word leader for the third time in the chapter, which again emphasizes the responsibility and stewardship of those who teach. The recipients of this letter are also told that those from Italy send them greetings. This suggests that churches have cropped up throughout all of Italy, not just Rome, and those currently with the author send greetings to this church. This is another interesting statement reminding us that this church consisted of real human beings in a real historical time and place.

The writer of Hebrews closes his letter with “grace.” There may be no more proper and precious way to end a letter like Hebrews than by asking God’s unmerited favor on the recipients. The whole letter has really been about the grace established in the new covenant God has made with his people through the blood of Jesus Christ. We have been saved by grace, and we will endure until the end by grace. Grace be with all of us, indeed.