The Benediction: God’s Blessing to Send Us Out
Opening Benediction (Hebrews 13:20–21)
“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.”
Introduction: Why the Benediction Matters
Many of us hear the benediction and immediately think, “Church is over—time for lunch!” But the benediction is far more than a polite dismissal. It is a vital part of worship in which the minister pronounces God’s own blessing upon His people, a blessing granted in Christ, which we then receive and carry out into the world.
Today we will look at three things:
- What is a benediction?
- What does the particular benediction in Hebrews 13:20–21 say to us?
- How should we receive the benediction for our greatest benefit?
1. What Is a Benediction?
A benediction is a pronouncement of God’s blessing that does three crucial things:
A. It is a sign of God’s presence with His people
From the very beginning, God reveals Himself as the God who is with His people: “I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
The classic Old Testament benediction (Numbers 6:24–26) puts God’s name on His people three times:
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
In biblical thought, a name is not just a label—it carries power and presence. When God puts His name on His people, He declares, “I am your God, and I am with you.”
We see this carried into the New Testament in blessings such as 2 Corinthians 13:14:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
B. It shows that God has accepted the offering and made atonement
In Leviticus 9, after Aaron offers the sacrifices, he lifts his hands and blesses the people—twice. Then fire comes from the Lord and consumes the offering, showing that it has been accepted. The raised hands and the blessing are the sign: “Your sins are atoned for; you are at peace with God.”
Jesus does the same as He ascends (Luke 24:50–51). He lifts His hands and blesses the disciples just before He is carried into heaven. This is priestly language—He is beginning His high-priestly ministry at God’s right hand. The blessing assures the disciples that His sacrifice on the cross has been fully accepted.
Fifty days later, at Pentecost, tongues of fire come again (Acts 2), confirming that the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus Himself—has been received, and now God’s presence dwells in His people.
C. It sends us out with a blessing so that we may bless others
God blessed Abraham so that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). That blessing reaches its fulfillment in Christ and is now passed on to His church. We do not leave worship simply relieved that the service is over; we leave commissioned to carry God’s blessing into homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
In short: A benediction is the blessing of God’s continual presence with us through the atoning work of Christ that we are to share with the world.
2. The Particular Benediction: Hebrews 13:20–21
“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.”
This rich benediction contains all three elements:
A. God’s presence with us
- “The God of peace” – the God who has made peace through Christ’s blood.
- “Our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep” – the One who leads, protects, and feeds us (Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34; John 10).
B. Acceptance of the offering and completed atonement
- “Who brought again from the dead… by the blood of the eternal covenant” – the resurrection proves that the sacrifice was accepted once for all. The book of Hebrews has been building to this climax: Jesus’ blood has secured an eternal redemption.
C. Equipped and sent to bless others
- “Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight” – God does not merely charge us up on Sunday and send us out to run on fumes. He Himself goes with us and works in us all week long. The blessing is not a one-time boost; it is the ongoing ministry of the indwelling Spirit.
3. How Should We Receive the Benediction?
Practical posture
- The minister raises his hands (following Aaron and Jesus) to show that the blessing comes from God, not from the man.
- Many people find it helpful to hold their hands open, palms up, and look upward—a physical reminder that we are receiving from the Lord.
Receiving by faith
- As a sign of God’s presence – Hear the word spoken and believe afresh that God’s name and power are put upon you.
- As assurance of accepted atonement – Rest again in the finished work of Christ; leave knowing you are fully accepted and dearly loved.
- As a commission to bless others – Take the spoken promise with you: the same God who raised Jesus is with you and will work in you all week to make you a blessing wherever you go.
Do not treat the benediction as the moment church ends. Treat it as the moment your sending begins.
Closing Prayer
O Lord, teach us to receive your blessing in faith, that we might—through your power working in us—bless others in Jesus’ name. Amen.