July 4, 2024 -- Hebrews 13:20-21 -- Drenched in unending showers of blessing

Now may the God of peace Who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good so 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

This is highlight of the book of Hebrews, the great blessing of God poured out on His people. Hebrews was written to Christians of Jewish origin who were considering going back to Jewish practices and ways. Throughout the book Paul challenges believers with the great Truth, Jesus is better. The Old Testament was a blueprint for Jesus’ work. Because of His accomplished work, Jesus inhabits His temple. We, the people who believe in Him, are the Holy Place where He lives. Furthermore, Jesus is the Guide par excellence. None of the Old Testament leaders, great as they were, can rival Him. In fact, the men did their work well in giving their lives so that all who truly listened to them would be pointed to the Messiah, Jesus.

The Old Testament sacrifices were all pointing to Jesus. The blood of the Covenant (with Abraham in Genesis 15 and then 17) was fulfilled by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. All the nations of the earth are now blessed by Abraham’s greater descendant Jesus. Those who are in Christ have peace with God. Peace with God is something no amount of keeping the law could ever achieve. Peace is ours because of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. Peace is applied to our heart, mind and soul by the ever-active work of the Spirit within us.

Jesus, as David’s greater descendant, rules in power and He with the Father sent the Spirit so that believers are equipped for holy service. Precisely what the Law of the Old Testament failed to do, the Spirit of Power brings to bear in our lives—giving believers a willing heart and divinely empowered ability to keep the Law of God.

Ah, what blessings are given to all who are in Christ. What new life is coursing through our veins, that the Spirit Who rested on Jesus without measure in His earthly life, is that same Spirit Who directs our living now. Earlier in this same chapter Paul commanded Christians to continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15). When the believer has the smallest realization of the riches and blessings of God which are poured out on his life, and as he reflects on this and by faith his understanding expands and his desires are focused in Christ, then his heart cannot help but sing out in blessing to the LORD. Joy expresses itself in acts of Christian love and mercy to those around him. The believer, in view of the unsurpassed greatness of love and mercy shown by the Father through Jesus and guarded in him by the Holy Spirit cannot help but live a life of holy service.

Mighty God of glory and salvation, how can Your people keep from singing? What would stop our lips from praising You and our lives from exulting in service to You? Nothing. That’s the only answer we can give, nothing can stop us. Your covenant love is so amazing and so true that our hearts must sing as Your Spirit directs us. Your faithfulness is aimed at us so truly and perfectly through Your beloved Son Jesus, our hands cannot hang loosely, but long for the Spirit’s prompts so that they serve You even in our most troubled times as ever long to serve You in our good times. Lord Jesus, to You, with the Father and the Spirit, be honour, glory, and praise both now and forever more. Amen.

https://youtu.be/tQUTvMtUhw4?si=x-M8u4EX7Qgp2Waa “The Doxology” Anthem Lights and Selah

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