“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.”

The writer is nearing the end of his treatise and so offers a benediction to his readers. In this benediction, he is reminding the readers of the purpose of his work; that his readers might do the will of God. He also makes it clear that God is behind all the good things that have and will happen. Several wonderful ideas accompany this benediction. We are told that God is a God of peace. Within God’s people, there should be no discord or animosity. It is unlike God. We are reminded that the resurrection of Jesus was done by God, and we know that to reject the resurrection is to reject the power of God.

We learn that Jesus is the great shepherd of God’s sheep, of which we are a part. We are reminded that we are sheep, and we need a shepherd. God made it clear long ago that man is not capable of directing his own way. The connection of Jesus in the work of God is plain here. God works in us to do and be good through the work of His Son. It is Jesus to whom we should give glory forever and ever.

We take joy in knowing that the covenant under which we are governed and blessed is an eternal one secured by the precious blood of the shepherd. Jesus told us that the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Task for Today: God has provided you the equipment to do His will. Everything you need to be a faithful child is in the gift of Jesus. Will you act upon this gift. As the writer intended, that willingness will bless you in unbelievable ways. Follow the Great Shepherd today.