“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14
What is your favorite departing blessing or benediction?
Many pastors end our worship services with the Aaronic Benediction (The Lord bless you and keep you…). The Irish have some pretty amusing blessings. There is probably a blessing or two which you really love.
Rather than simply signing off, Paul ends 2 Corinthians with the above benediction/blessing. It is rich in meaning.
The Grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ – How does God deal with you? It isn’t through laws and commands, it is through the grace of Jesus. Grace is unearned and undeserved favor. Rather than dealing with you according to your sins, He died for you so you could be forgiven and made a Child of God.
The Love of God – God is bound to you in love. He created you out of love, He redeemed you out of love, and He sustains you both physically and in faith out of love. God made you His Child through the grace of Jesus and loves you as a good Father. He protects you, supplies all your needs, and demonstrates the greatest of love for you.
The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit – God then unifies us by His Spirit. He joins you with Himself, dwelling in You and filling You. He joins you to His church, unifying you with all believers everywhere and of every time. God continues to commune with you and you with all believers through the sacramental meal of Communion.
May God be with you, the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is not some distant God nor is He some non-descript energy in the sky. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You were baptized into the Triune God and it is the Triune God who goes with You, dealing with you by grace, bound to you by love, and unified with you and all believers.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your love, grace, and fellowship. Be with me. Deal with me according to Your unfathomable grace. Surround me with Your boundless love. Always stay with me.
Amen.
Now…May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Copyright 2022, Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel. All Rights Reserved.