Scripture Passage that Caught my attention today: Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Observation: This passage is familiar, yet deeper than meets the eye.
Application: I offer these verses periodically to others…at funerals. It’s the blessing at the end of the graveside portion of the funeral service. The words roll off my tongue. I need not look at the book. I know these verses by heart and always feel blessed to deliver them to others.
Still, their meaning is deeper than I sometimes realize. The verses tell us what God is like (peaceful), what God has done (brought Jesus back to life), how God has done it (through the blood of the eternal covenant), what we pray that God will do (make you complete in everything good), and why (so that you may do his will), and where (among us), and how (through Jesus Christ), and a final thanksgiving (to whom be glory) for this long (forever and ever). The passage finishes off with the good ol’ “Amen” which many people may not realize means, “yes, it shall be so.”
Together these are a powerful set of verses nestled in near the end of a rather powerful Biblical book. I should take them to heart more often, even as I share them with others.
Prayer: Lord, help us gain a greater sense of the gifts you offer even in the verses that we claim to know so well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Isaiah 25-28, Hebrews 13)
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