A Benediction

 

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. (Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV).

 

Our reading today comes from the end of the book of Hebrews. It was common in the first Christian century to conclude any formal letter with a benediction. Having instructed, chastised, and exhorted his readers, the author of Hebrews now declares a blessing upon them. This written blessing helps to illumine the background of the writer. Benedictions were common in Judaism, and the fact that the author includes one here adds evidence to the notion that he was of Jewish heritage and was well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures.

 

This benediction accomplishes more than just pronouncing a blessing. In emphasizing Christ as Shepherd, the author suggests that his warnings were not meant to imply that salvation can be lost. Rather, he is convinced, just like the other biblical writers, that God’s people will persevere to the end. For as shepherd he feeds, that is rules and instructs us. As the shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep (cf. John 10:11), this refers to his priestly office and the atonement he made for his church by his blood. All the elect are committed to him by God, like a sheep to a shepherd to be redeemed, preserved, saved, through virtue of his office. This relationship between Christ and the church is often mentioned in the Scripture with the security and consolation that depend on it. We are taught here that he died as part of his work, as the great Shepherd of the sheep, which shows the supremacy of his love and the certainty of salvation of the elect. God has chosen for Himself one flock and has appointed the Shepherd to guard over it. The power and worthiness of Jesus guarantees that not one of His sheep shall ever be snatched from His hand.

 

I have often heard the belief espoused that an individual can “fall from grace.” That is, that somehow our salvation was dependent on how able we are in our obedience. I find no hope in that belief; and, I find it nowhere in the Scripture. The opposite is true. Since God has saved us, He will keep us. This is accomplished by the word of our Great Shepherd, Jesus. Spend some time in prayer today meditating on the grace and power of your Shepherd, thanking Him for protecting you from evil.