We reflected on Hebrews 242 times. That has not happened with any other Bible book. I must confess that I struggled initially to get a grip on Hebrews, but when I got going, I could hardly wait to read my verse for the day every morning.

Here at the end of Hebrews the author’s heart comes close to the surface again. (Remember, we don’t know who it is. Many thought it was Paul, but the writing style is not completely the same as his.) He longs to get to his readers and will leave as soon as Timothy arrives, so that they can travel there together.

Like all the other authors, he blesses his readers. He calls to God from his heart and asks God to bless them abundantly: ²⁵Grace be with you, everyone.

I have been wondering for some time why the authors had the habit of blessing the readers? I’ve also been wondering hard why I give the Lord’s blessing at the end of every sermon? I realise that it is more than just a wish that God will let it go well with the recipient.

It is a sign that there is a relationship between God and a person, and within this relationship, God holds His hand over the people. He protects them. He covers for them. He is part of their plans, indeed, because they include Him in their whole existence here on earth.

Only within a relationship with God the blessing is poured out. What God wants to do is to fulfill His part of the relationship and pour the blessing over His children. And the author wants to take a bit of the blessings and, therefore, asks God to shower the readers with His goodness.

And that is what we have to do with the loved ones around us too. We must take some blessings from God’s tank for them. When we go on our knees, we must pray for our loved ones and ask for God’s blessing to rain over them. We must pray that God will be good to the people who work with us, who we work for, and who work for us. And also, for the strangers who stumble across our path.

It’s fairly easy, I think. But then I see that the blessing is said over all who are in a relationship with God. And that is when saying a blessing becomes harder. There are people who, like us, are in a relationship with God, but who are not friends with us.

Maybe it is someone who has done something to you. Maybe it is someone who has taken something from you. Maybe accidentally hurt you so much that you don’t even want to think about that person, that blessing them is not even in the picture? Maybe we should build a bridge here.

May we get the strength and wisdom, and, yes, may our heavenly Father, our Creator and the most powerful of all, be good to you so that you can scatter His goodness over all whose paths cross yours!

Scripture
Hebrews 13:24-25

Reflection
Do you believe in God’s blessing?
Do you pray it over others?
Who do you struggle to pray this prayer for?

Prayer
Father, thank you that I may pray a blessing over people who are valuable to me. So, I ask You to bless abundantly all who cross my path. Yes, over those who have wounded me too. In Jesus’ Name, amen.