Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Our verses for today form a benediction by the author of Hebrews upon the people to whom it is addressed.
The benediction appeals to God as the “God of peace” and the one who “brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep.” In the New Testament, generally the word translated as “peace” refers to an overall blessedness and happiness in life. God, as the author of salvation, is the God of peace because He has reconciled people unto Himself and unto one another, thereby creating a state of peace, blessedness, and happiness. He effectuated this state, of course, through the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, who is the “Great Shepherd” that leads His sheep beside the still waters.
The benediction pronounces two blessings upon the people “through Jesus Christ.”
First, the benediction pronounces that they would be “equipped with everything good for doing his will.” Doing God’s will is not something that comes naturally to people. Through the indwelling of Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God, we are granted the gifts necessary to accomplish what God wants us to accomplish in life. Apart from Christ and the gifts of the Spirit, we can do no good thing (John 15:5).
Second, the benediction pronounces that God would “work in us what is pleasing to him.” The thought here seems to move beyond the gifts of the Spirit to the fruit of the Spirit. It is one thing to accomplish great things by one’s gifts, but it is another altogether to accomplish them with the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, etc. in operation. Accomplishments apart from these qualities are rather hollow.
May God equip you today and every day with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in you what is pleasing to Him.