Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. Grace be with you all.

Am I eager to learn? Do I take constructive criticism with grace and bear with the giver of it, though some things are hard to hear?

The writer of Hebrews calls on his target audience to be thoughtful and consider his words. He also implies that they should respect his position of leadership. He does this throughout the book by calling on them to be good followers, pray for their leaders, make leading easy on them, and make those leaders proud of their growth in the faith. Here, too, he asks them to greet their leaders specifically and gives them an update on Timothy, a fellow leader.

Finally we learn that he is either in Italy or was there recently, as he sends greetings from the brothers there.

He encourages them to greet each other and especially their leaders. Greeting each other is important! It is the first impression that we have, as we serve together with each other in the church. I need to be kind and joyful (in the Lord) as I greet others, passing along the sweet aroma of his Spirit and his goodness.

Lord, thank you for these final words from the writer of Hebrews and his encouragement to take instruction with forbearance. I should have a desire to learn, to be a person who greets others well, and respects my leaders. May I excel in these areas.