Benediction

When I was young, my family attended a church whose minister, Rev. Gerald Huenink, was a very reserved, learned man. However, it would always charm me, even as a child, to see Rev. Huenink come to the center of the altar area at the end of the service, raise his arms over the congregation, and pronounce a blessing or benediction over us. The benediction, or blessing, has the power to transform. The patriarchs of scripture would pronounce a blessing over the heads of their children (Gen. 49). The blessing had a prophetic significance also over a person's life. Aaron, the priest, was instructed to say a blessing over the children of Israel: "And the LORD spoke to Moses saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." (Num. 6:22-27). By Aaron and his sons speaking this blessing over Israel, the LORD said He would place His name upon them, and bless them. In these trying times, I am sure that there are people upon whom we would like to see the name of the LORD placed, and the blessings that follow that wonderful name. Are we speaking this blessing? Are we speaking a transforming word of blessing into people's lives? Especially as the time of Christ's return draws near, speaking the benediction can be a vital tool of ministry to others. Proverbs teaches us that we have power in our mouths: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Prov. 18:21). "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the bones." (Prov. 16:24). "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." (Prov. 12:25). Mental and physical health, even life and death, are impacted by the words out of our mouths. More than ever before, people, even children, are being consumed by anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. Speaking blessings and benedictions over them can bring words of relief and transformtion. The creative power of transformation found in the blessing, or benediction, is not only meant for the people of God, or for the people we like. Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless them who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you my be sons of your Father in heaven: for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." (Mt. 5:43-45). The role of the ministers of the Church is for "the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be childre, tossed to and fro...by the trickery of men...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head - Christ -..." (Eph. 4:12-15). The Church is being transformed into the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ by the truth spoken in love. This transformative truth comes in several forms, but one of the ways that Paul spoke the truth over the Church is by the benediction, or blessing. These are some of the benedictions of prophetic, creative, transformative power spoken by Paul over the believers in his letters to the churches: "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be likeminded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 15:5-6). "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13). "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 1:3). "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen" (1 Cor. 16:23-24). "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God." (2 Cor. 9:10). "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the saints." (1 Thess. 3:12-13). "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess. 5:23). "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." (2 Thess. 2:16-17). "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ...Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thess. 3:5,16). "The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." (2 Tim. 4:22). "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Heb. 13:20-21). The blessing or benediction spoken over a life can transform a life. It can transform a home, a city, a nation. Our Father has shown us the power of the benediction. "May the Lord God Almighty bless you in all your ways in Him. May He bless your home and children with peace. May He lead you in His paths of righteouseness and holiness, and make you fruitful in the earth by His Son, Jesus."