A Final "Good Word" (Hebrews 13:20-25)
Beloved, it is good to be back home.
Beloved, do you feel defeated as you seek to please God?
You start on your Bible reading plan for the new year, and four weeks in, you are already a week behind. You keep fighting a persistent sin, and just when you thought you have victory, you fall again to temptation.
Do you struggle to do God's will? You try to live out your Christian ethics in your workplace, but the values of the surrounding culture push you to compromise. You want to love your fellow church members, but there is one person who continually tests your patience. You wonder to yourself how you can please God. Can I do God's will and please Him with my life?
Today, we turn to the last few verses of the Letter to the Hebrews. We have spent the last five months working through this letter, which can be better described as a sermon, to believers of Hebrew background (and it applies to Christians of all times and backgrounds).
The key theme of this letter was that because Jesus is better, don't drift and continue to press on in faith in Jesus Christ. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews ends his sermon by explaining how we can do God's will and please Him with our lives in Hebrews 13. In doing so, we offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise to God. We hear, and we want to respond, but we live in a fallen and broken world that wars against the worship of God. While we have the moral responsibility and the ability to make decisions, we find we often lack the power to carry out what God commands. We ask how can I really please God?
We turn to the last six verses of the letter to the Hebrews, where God reveals His solution through the inspired author.
God will equip us through Jesus Christ, so we must hold fast to Jesus to please God.
The big idea for this passage is that God will equip us through Jesus Christ, so we must hold fast to Jesus to please God.
The outline is:
Our God of Peace will equip us to please Him through Jesus Christ (Heb 13:20-21)
Pay attention to the message of Hebrews: hold fast to Jesus Christ (Heb 13:22-25)
As we consider how we can please God, the first section tells us what God has done to enable us to please Him.
Our God of Peace will equip us to please Him through Jesus Christ (Heb 13:20-21)
We finally arrive at the benediction or "good word". This prayer might be one of the most beautiful prayers ever spoken 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 it is clear he loves the church very dearly.
Hebrews 13:20-21 records the prayer, but it is more than a prayer - it is a prayer that calls God's blessings on the church. The prayer begins with a calling on God, followed by two verses (both speaking of Jesus) and a concluding doxology.
The two verses draw attention to parallel movements: The work of God that was realised in the Lord Jesus when he was led out from the dead (13:20), and the work of God that must be realised in Christians if they are to do God’s will and please God (13:21). The two movements are framed by the appeal to ‘the God of peace’ at the beginning and the doxology directed to God at the end.
God is the "God of peace” (Heb 13:20). God's orientation 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. As Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". And in Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
We do not have to hope that God will respond to us with peace. He promised peace to us who have placed our faith in Christ Jesus.
In the other religious 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 — we have rejected His good rule over us and have sinned. We would not be able to appease God's anger against our sins. Instead, we thank God that Christ has achieved that peace for us.
Beloved, isn't it a wonderful thing to be able to say, "The God of peace"?
For my non-Christian friends, do you desire this peace with God? Acknowledge that you have sinned against God our good creator-king. Believe that God provided peace with Himself through Jesus Christ. Confess that Jesus Christ is your saviour-king and that you have been counted right or justified by your faith in Him. I plead with you to receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour and King. If this is your desire, please feel free to contact your Christian friend or any of the Elders; we would be glad to help you take hold of this peace.
This benediction also shows the centrality of Christ's resurrection. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 tells us, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures".
It is the foundation for our faith. Of all the things the author could have brought up about Jesus at His conclusion, He emphasises Jesus' resurrection from the dead — "God who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus". Jesus Christ being raised from the dead, 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 is not dead but lives.
The author also identifies Jesus as "the great Shepherd of the sheep" (Heb 13:20). What a fantastic 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 in the Old Testament. Therefore, they would have understood themselves to be Christ's sheep, His people. We are the sheep of Jesus's pasture. Such a designation captures Christ's 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 emphasise the superiority of God's new eternal covenant with His people — "by the blood of the eternal covenant" (Heb 13:20). 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 covenant 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.
The hearers of the sermon to the Hebrews would also catch the allusion in "who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep" (Heb 13:20). They would have caught the echo in Isaiah 63:20 of Isaiah 63:11–14. In Isaiah 63:11–14, it speaks of God’s appointment of Moses as the leader of Israel. Through Moses, God rescued Israel from Egypt in the great event of the Exodus. Moses, the shepherd of Midian (Exo 3:1), sets the pattern for “the great shepherd,” Jesus Christ. According to Isaiah 63:11–14, Moses was “led forth” not as an isolated individual but as the shepherd of the flock. The object of God’s rescue is the entire people of God. What is true of Moses is true of Jesus in a bigger way. Jesus was led forth from the realm of the dead and appointed God's shepherd for His people. Through Jesus, God has begun to lead His flock to save a people for Himself.
Jesus Christ is the better Moses, who establishes a better covenant with God's people.
Hebrews 13:21 goes on to tell us what the author expects the Lord to do for His people by virtue of forgiven sins through the blood of Christ. He confidently asks God to equip us with everything good so that they can do His will and please Him. We need God's help to do His will and cannot accomplish it on our own. This reason is precisely why the author asks God to accomplish these things in His people.
Christians should do "what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (Heb 13:21). 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. Even pleasing God is through Jesus Christ. It is all of grace and not of our efforts. God is work[ing] in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ. Not only does God provide every grace to His people that will enable them to do His will. Through Jesus Christ, He also accomplishes in us (and here, the writer includes himself) what is pleasing to Him.
What God has done to enable us to please Him? Our God of Peace has equipped us to please Him through Jesus Christ.
Our obedience is an obedience of faith.
Beloved, our natural sinful tendency is towards religious self-effort to earn God's favour. But what about obedience? Our obedience is an obedience of faith. Even as we seek to do God's will and please God, we look to Jesus Christ, trusting through Jesus Christ, God has equipped us to do His will, working in us to please Him.
I speak to believers among us who struggle. You know that you can never please God on your own, you have tried and failed. Beloved, do not give up and give in to apathy — thinking why bother? Hebrews 13:20-21 tells us to place our confidence that we can do God's will and please Him onto God Himself and not on ourselves. God will enable and equip us.
To those who struggle, understand that sin makes us curve in on ourselves, and we are tempted to isolate. I ask that you trust that the church is God's means of grace to encourage us and help us rehearse the good news that God enables what He commands. So, lean into the church community.
I speak to those who are complacent and proud, thinking you have made enough effort to please God. Beloved, the gospel in Hebrews 13:20-21 is against any work-based self-effort. How do we know if we have given in to pride? Check your actions and speech in your interactions with others — do you look down on others' spirituality? Perhaps you think you know more about the Bible than others, or you spend more hours serving than others or you give more to missions than others.
When we give in to work-based self-effort, it often shows itself as pride in our interactions. You need to repent of your self-righteous good works and seek humility, Even the good you do is empowered by God.
Hebrews 13:20-21 also teaches us to pray for God's work in one another. Have you been praying for each other in the church? Have you prayed for our Elders? Have you prayed for members of our church? Have you prayed for the members of your CG? Pick up a copy of the members' directory from the church office and start praying.
What do you pray for? Pray that God will equip your church friend with everything good so that they may do His will, working in them that which is pleasing in His sight. Pray that the lyrics of "Nothing but the Blood" may be true of all of us:
This is all my hope and peace:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Pray that we base our confidence on the blood of Jesus Christ, which confirms the promise of Jesus' eternal covenant with us. Our God of Peace will equip us to please Him through Jesus Christ.
So, what is our role and response? Surely, it is not to “let go and let God”, that we remain passive? What, then, must I do to please God?
The author of Hebrews tells us what we must do in Hebrews 13:22-25.
Pay attention to the message of Hebrews: hold fast to Jesus Christ (Heb 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 appeal comes in Hebrews 13:22. We will come back to the author's appeal in verse 22, but we will look at the closing few things the author speaks about in Hebrews 13:23-25.
He wants his readers to know Timothy's status (Heb 13:23). This person mentioned 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 imprisoned, but we can assume, like his mentor Paul, it was for the gospel's sake. The two will visit the readers if Timothy can join the author.
In the letter's conclusion (Heb 13:24), we read the word leader for the third time in the chapter, again emphasising the responsibility and stewardship of those who teach and lead. The recipients of this letter are also told that those from Italy send them greetings. This greeting suggests that churches have cropped up throughout Italy, not just in Rome, and those currently with the author send greetings to this church. This verse is another interesting statement reminding us that this church comprises real human beings in a real historical time and place.
The writer of Hebrews closes his letter with "grace" (Heb 13:25). There may be no more proper and precious way to end a letter like Hebrews than by asking God's unmerited favour on the church that received his letter. The whole letter has 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 will endure until the end by grace. Grace be with all of us, indeed.
So, what is the appeal in Hebrews 13:22? It is to "bear with my word of exhortation". The author tells us to bear, to receive, to pay attention and take heed to his word of exhortation — that is the sermon (this letter to the Hebrews) he just preached. The writer intends for his letter to be both encouraging and exhortatory. He does not write this church merely to inform them theologically. Though knowing doctrine is essential, his primary purpose is to encourage them to hold fast to Jesus Christ and persevere in the faith. Therefore, the appeal to bear with his word of exhortation. Theologically dense as it may be, Hebrews is a shorter New Testament letter that one can read in 45-50 minutes, and it encourages us to pay attention to the message of Hebrews: i.e. hold fast to Jesus Christ.
Why should we hold fast to Jesus? We stick to Jesus because Jesus is better!
Why do we need to consider and savour that Jesus is better? It is because that which we value and treasure we will give priority to, seek after and give allegiance to.
We need to savour and feast upon the truth that Jesus is indeed better, and it will bind our affections for Him.
We need to savour and feast upon the truth that Jesus is indeed better, and it will bind our affections for Him.
How is Jesus better? Remember the previous chapters that were preached.
Jesus is better than the angels because He is the divine King (Hebrews 1:4, 6, 8).
Jesus is better than Moses because while Moses was a servant of God, Jesus is the Son of God (Hebrews 3:3–4).
Jesus is better than Joshua because Jesus brings a greater rest to the people of God (Hebrews 4:8–9).
Jesus is a better priest than Aaron because He is sinless and immortal (Hebrews 7:26–28).
But not only is Jesus better than any other human religious figure — Jesus also has a better ministry after ushering in a better covenant built on better promises with a better sacrifice, Jesus Himself (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6; 9:12).
And finally, in Hebrews 13:20-21, we see that Jesus Christ is the better Moses, who establishes an eternal covenant with God's people.
As pastor Richard Phillips helpfully points out: "God the Father's first and chief love is in His Son, both as the delight of His own soul and also as the Mediator who brings us to God; and therefore, it is God's chief delight that worship should be given to His Son our Lord.
Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
All our salvation and all of our worship are from Him and through Him and to Him, all to the glory of God the Father.
If this is true, then the one thing absolutely essential is to hold fast to Jesus Christ. Beloved, because Jesus Christ is better, then let us hold fast to Him.
Beloved, we must hold fast to Jesus Christ because Jesus is better.
How do we hold fast?
We bear, receive, pay attention and take heed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We listen to the sermon of the Letter to the Hebrews. Our sermons are recorded and available on YouTube. You can re-hear the past messages.
We listen to the Word preached.
Give priority as we assemble and gather as a church on Sundays together to listen and pay heed to the Word preached.
We listen to Jesus spoken in our 1 to 1 interactions or small groups.
We meet people outside of Sunday meetings to have more opportunities to talk about the gospel to one another.
As we hear and heed the word of the gospel, the Holy Spirit will take God's Word and apply it to us, changing us so that we can hold fast.
Beloved, if Jesus is better, it’s the greatest kindness; then, to invite others to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). We should be speaking to our non-Christian friends that Jesus is indeed better than anything else the world has to offer and invite them to see for themselves. We should also speak to our Christian friends and one another in the church often about Jesus Christ.
If Jesus is better, then we speak of Jesus Christ often and remind one another of the sweet taste of Jesus Christ and His gospel. By doing so, we will cultivate tastebuds for the things of Jesus.
Jesus is better than anything the world has to offer.
Jesus is better than material wealth: Money can provide so much: vacations, security, relational peace. Yet, the love of money is dangerously corrosive to our souls. He who loves money always needs more. One can be extremely wealthy and downright miserable. The poorest saint with the Holy Spirit residing within her soul is far richer than the most affluent man without knowledge of God. How many have laboured endlessly for money only to look back in deep regret at a wasted life? Yet those who set their hearts on Jesus go from strength to strength. Their hearts are wedded to Christ’s kingdom, so they can enjoy material blessings here without being possessed by their possessions, because they know that Jesus is better. To those who labour long and enjoy few material blessings, rest assured. Jesus is better.
Jesus is better than comfort and ease. In the world’s estimation, Christians do seemingly ridiculous things: We move their families thousands of miles away to share the gospel. We adopt or foster children when we already have a full house. We forfeit jobs that would require us to sacrifice their integrity. We give to others financially at a cost to ourselves. We are labelled as foolish and ignorant because we believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God. We get involved in messy relationships and keep pursuing peace, even when letting the relationship go would be much easier.
Christians don’t lead safe lives. We lead joyfully, purposeful ones because Jesus is better.
Why do Christians make their lives more difficult instead of pursuing comfort and ease? We follow Jesus, who left the comforts of heaven to enter into the difficulties of this broken world. Jesus came to provide abundant life for His followers. However, the full life promised in the gospel isn’t found by making our lives easier; it’s seen by laying down our lives. Jesus said in Luke 17:33, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it”. Christians don’t lead safe lives. We lead joyfully, purposeful ones because Jesus is better.
Jesus is the better balm to our pain, hardship and difficulties — bereavements, betrayals, oppositions and the brokenness of life in a fallen world. Many of us experience lost, grief and sorrow, and we try to dull the pain through distractions, food, alcohol and entertainment. These distractions may take our attention off our pain and hurt briefly. Still, it will never truly bring healing and restoration. Only Jesus, who died on the cross, His blood covering the guilt of our sins, can work true heart healing. Jesus is better.
Hold fast to Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ is infinitely better. Jesus Christ provides both the motivation and the power to hold fast to Him. So hold fast and press on. And help one another hold fast to Jesus Christ.
Beloved, hold fast to Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ is infinitely better. Jesus Christ provides both the motivation and the power to hold fast to Him. So hold fast and press on. And help one another hold fast to Jesus Christ.
Beloved, ask yourself: In what ways can we encourage one another to hold fast to Jesus Christ?
A fitting conclusion at the end of our sermon series is found in Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore,” says the author of Hebrews, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, 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” .
To Him be glory forever and ever, to the praise of his Father in heaven. Amen.
Bibliography:
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Douglas J. Moo, “The Letters and Revelation,” in NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, ed. D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018.
R. Albert Mohler Jr., “Hebrews,” in The NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible, ed. R. Albert Mohler Jr. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021.
R. T. France, “Hebrews,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition), ed. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, vol. 13. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006.
Peter T. O’Brien, The Letter to the Hebrews, The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010.
William L. Lane, Hebrews 9–13, vol. 47B, Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1991.
Dennis E. Johnson, “Hebrews,” in Hebrews–Revelation, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XII, ESV Expository Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018.
R. Albert Mohler Jr., Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017.
Richard D. Phillips, Hebrews, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2006.