“Our Lord Jesus”

 

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”                                  Hebrews 13:20-21

 

We have seen our Lord Jesus throughout this great Epistle. Our all-glorious Christ is the theme and message of these thirteen chapters. We have been told repeatedly of his supremacy, his greatness, and his glory as our God, Mediator, High Priest, Surety, and Substitute. We have come near to him, heard from him, enjoyed him, and worshipped him as…

 

·         God’s final Word by whom he has spoken and revealed himself to men (1:2).

·         The Creator of all things, whom the angels worship (1:6,10).

·         The Captain of our salvation who was made perfect through suffering (2:10).

·         Our divine Mediator who was made flesh that he might die in our place and free us from the fear of death (2:14).

·         Our sovereign Savior who took hold on the seed of Abraham to save us (2:16).

·         That Prophet who is better than Moses and that Son who is better than a servant (3:5).

·         Our Sabbath in whom we find rest for our souls (4:1-11).

·         Our sympathizing High Priest who bids us come by him to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace in every time of need (4:14-16).

·         The Anchor of our souls, both sure and steadfast (6:18-20).

·         Our ever living High Priest and omnipotent Savior, one who saves to the uttermost all who come to God by him (7:25).

·         The Surety and Mediator of a better covenant (7:22; 8:10-12).

·         The Redeemer who obtained eternal redemption for us (9:12).

·         The Sacrifice who, by his blood, purifies our consciences from dead works to serve the living God (9:14).

·         The Sacrifice who put an end to all sacrifices by putting away sin once for all through the sacrifice of himself (9:26).

·         The Servant whose obedience has perfected forever all God’s elect (10:1-14).

·         The new and living Way by whom we have access to God (10:18-22).

·         The Author and Finisher of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of God until all his enemies are made a stool for his feet (12:2; 1:13).

 

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·         He whose blood speaks in heaven and speaks better things than the blood of Abel (12:1-4).

·         The God and Savior one who will never leave us nor forsake us (13:5-6; 7:16).

·         Our immutable God and Savior (13:8).

·         Our Altar (13:10).

·         The One who suffered outside the camp that he might sanctify us by his own blood (13:12).

 

Again and again the Lord Jesus reveals himself to encourage our perseverance, strengthen our faith, inspire our hope, and assure our hearts. Now, we come to the last verses of this great, instructive, comforting Epistle.

 

How do you end an epistle like Hebrews? Paul must have contemplated this for some time, praying and mulling over the contents of his letter to these struggling brethren. He had spoken rapturously of God’s revelation of himself and his Son, and of his eternal work. He has brought them face to face with our doubts, fears, and unbelief.

 

Though it is commonly called one of the “General Epistles,” the book of Hebrews is truly a “pastoral” Epistle. It deals with the most sublime depths of sacred theology and makes piercing, personal applications of divine truth to our hearts. Paul was inspired by God the Holy Spirit to bring his Epistle to its conclusion by reminding us again of the greatness, glory, and supremacy of God our Savior, ascribing all praise to him, and by declaring his heart’s desire and prayer to God for his elect (13:20-25).

 

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.”

 

What a picture this is of a faithful pastor’s tender heart. Knowing that his words were, at times biting, and stinging, and hard to bear, knowing the terrible reluctance of proud flesh to take rebuke, but knowing that what he had written was indeed God’s Word to his people, he urged these believers and urges us, to receive, bear, and heed the word of exhortation.