Scripture: “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with all of you.” — Hebrews 13:22-25 (ESV)
The last part of any piece of literature is important. For example, George Orwell’s book 1984 finishes with the following line:
He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.
If you know the book, you know that of course this was the exact opposite of what is supposed to happen. Winston, the main character, had not won any sort of victory. He had given in to the mind control of the totalitarian regime. This final line is perhaps most chilling in the entire book. It adds a fitting end to a chilling novel. The book would not be complete without it.
The same thing applies with these final verses from the book of Hebrews. We often skip the ends of the letters in the New Testament, because they are usually filled with things that don’t seem to matter all that much to our lives today. But the book of Hebrews is a great work of literature. Not only that, it is part of the Bible, and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit. None of it is to be wasted simply because it is a bit harder to apply to our lives.
So then, what can we learn from these last few verses?
First, the readers are asked to bear with his word of exhortation. As we have seen this book has filled with theology and practical applications. A lot of it has been difficult to understand, a lot of it has been difficult for them to hear. Passages where he has encouraged them to keep persevering in the faith despite the suffering they have undergone stand out. But these things have been written out of love and care for the church. As difficult as they are to hear, they must be heard. This is as true for us as it was of original readers. There will be parts of Scripture that are hard to hear and difficult to accept. But we must hear these things and accept them, for they are the Word of God.
Second, there is a personal update about Timothy and other parts of the global church that the readers may be familiar with. Timothy was well known to this congregation as a fellow Gospel worker. This reminds us that life in the church is bigger than our immediate personal concerns. The church globally is a community of people working together. Timothy here is like the missionaries your local church supports. It is important to support, pray for and encourage those who labour for the Gospel abroad.
Finally, there is a final blessing and prayer: “Grace be with all of you.” The author of Hebrews ends his letter with how all Christians start: in grace. Everything we have, we have because of God’s goodness. Our right standing before God and our place as his adopted children all come down to God’s grace.
We owe everything to God’s grace.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for even the hard words of the Bible. Please help me hear them. Thank you for putting me in a church community. Please help me support my brothers and sisters. Thank you for your grace. Please help me remember that I owe everything to your grace. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Pray and ask God to bring to mind one of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Encourage them with an email, text or phone call.