Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"Through the blood of the everlasting covenant..."
Text: Hebrews 13:20
THE MEANS THROUGH WHICH BLESSINGS COME
Benedictions are pronouncement of blessings! But they are more than just beautifully chosen words. They communicate powerful theological truths as well.
1. Through
a) A simple preposition is used here (“en”).
b) The focus is to describe “the means by which”.
c) “Through” is the English preposition that helps us understands the means by which blessings may come from the God of peace.
2. The blood
a) This is an obvious reference to the shedding of the blood of the Great Shepherd.
i) Jesus spoke of willingly laying down His life for the sheep (Cf. John 10:17-18).
ii) The blood of Christ had to be shed to cleanse us (Cf. Hebrews 9:14).
iii) Through the shedding of His blood, Christ bore the sins of man (Cf. Hebrews 9:28).
b) Without the shedding of Christ’s blood no blessing from God could ever be given.
c) The role of Christ is indispensable.
3. The everlasting covenant
a) This is not the old Mosaic Covenant (called “the first covenant” Cf. Hebrews 9:15, 18).
b) This is called by several terms:-
i) Better Covenant (Cf. Hebrews 7:22)
ii) New Covenant (Cf. Hebrews 8:8; 9:15)
iii) Everlasting Covenant (Cf. Hebrews 13:20c)
All blessings from the God of Peace will come only through Jesus the Great Shepherd, who shed His blood for us, to establish for us the New Covenant!