I hope you’ve had a good start to your summer. I’m currently down in Florida with Joanne and my daughters (and their families). Besides all the Florida “Fun” (which is exhausting) we went to visit my parents, who recently moved into a Nursing Home. We had a great visit and my parents got to meet some of their great-grandchildren for the first time! At the same time, it was a little bittersweet, since my father has terminal heart disease and is not expected to live a long time. So, very likely, for much of the family, this was also a goodbye. It gets harder to leave him each time, never knowing if this farewell is the last farewell.

I imagine that the writer of the Book of Hebrews must have felt similar emotions. We’ve come to the conclusion of the book, Hebrews 13:20-25, which consists of a benediction (a blessing) and a final greeting encouraging them to “bear with his sermon” (I can identify with that!). What does it mean to “bear with his sermon”? I think he wants to know if it’s been helpful? If it’s been worthwhile? If it’s made a difference in the lives of his listeners (and in our case, his readers)? Have we really come to believe that #JesusisBetter? Those are good questions to ponder as we wrap up Hebrews. See you Sunday, Dr. Dave