The pastor’s congregation had been scattered all throughout the land, contact maintained through an unbroken network of loving and worshipping fellowship. They were followers of Jesus Christ, men and women of Jewish descent — and they were now facing increasing pressure and persecution for their profession of faith that this Jesus of Nazareth is the risen and reigning King, the long-promised Messiah come in fulfillment of their covenant-God’s promises. Knowing the pressure of their circumstances – knowing how their confusing, frightening, disconcerting circumstances were shaking and eroding their joy, hope, and confidence, the pastor writes a letter to encourage them, to provide them concrete, practical advice for navigating difficult social, economic, and political waters and coming through on the unknown “other side” with renewed strength, joy, and hope.

He goes on for some time reminding them of the concrete and practical, visible, audible and historical demonstrations of God’s astounding, sovereign faithfulness by which they and their forefathers have safely navigated far more difficult circumstances in years past. This same sovereign faithfulness, he states repeatedly, is most fully and gloriously demonstrated in Jesus Christ. He then sums it all up with a blessing, known as a benediction: “Everything that I have written to you, all of it, is now gathered together, wrapped up, and put into this one, bursting package of blessing:

Now, 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 [even in these disorienting circumstances], working in you that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. AMEN.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

The same concrete, practical wisdom the pastor gave his congregation in that day, remains unchanged for us, followers of Jesus Christ, in our own day: resting ourselves in the good sovereignty of our risen and reigning Lord, Jesus Christ. Finding ourselves – and one another – securely within his good, sovereign control, let us come together with rejoicing to worship with abandon – not in spite of our circumstances, but in the midst of them.

Order of Worship for 10.19.08