On Benedictions
Went to Redeemer for church today, and the pastor gave yet another wonderful and soul-provoking sermon on benedictions, based on the Aaronic benediction in Numbers 6. Here’s a rough rundown of the sermon, based on some of the notes I took.
Benedictions (based on the Latin words “bene” and “diction,” it literally means “good word”) are blessings, given by God. And what are blessings? Well, when God “blesses” us, He delights in us. He wishes us well — and not just that, He bestows things/gifts to us in order to achieve our wellness. So effectively, when God blesses us, He says, “I delight in you, and I commit to achieving your good, and to be expensively present with you through your whole life. I am there for you, and committed to you.”
And since we are social beings, created in a way that we are inclined toward external validation, blessings are important to us. We naturally desire someone of great worth to tell us that we are of great worth. When God blesses us, He does exactly that — and it removes from us our otherwise great need for validation from others. So…that’s the significance of the blessing/benediction to us.
Another memorable point from the sermon was that Jesus, who is our priest, says to us what Rebekah said to her son Jacob — “Let your curse be on me.” Jesus took the curse of what we deserved, and instead bestowed on us the blessings of the right to reign and rule on the earth and enjoy a relationship with God.
These blessings change our lives because when we receive God’s blessing and His favor, His delight, it names us. To be blessed is also to bear God’s name and to be part of His family. The significance of having this name relates to identity, solidarity, accountability, security, and intimacy with God.
In response, we ought to bless others, and curse not. We should affirm and praise others for the gifts, fruits, or sacrifices that they make for the sake of the Kingdom. And just as Christ has done and does for us, we ought to bestow ourselves on other people, invest in them, and seek more blessings from and for others.
What a tremendous challenge! Amen, and amen.