Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Benediction

"Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power & authority before all time and now & forever. AMEN."
(Jude 24-25)

It's one of the most beautiful benedictions in all scripture.  It's also the benediction used int he United Methodist Church's Book of Worship at the end of a funeral service.  It's eloquent... poetic... comforting... & inspiring, all at the same time.

Having just seem my mother move from life to LIFE, it also takes on a deeper meaning for me now.  My mom's body was slowly failing over the past decade.  In fact, this past July she lost her balance and fell in a parking lot, breaking her nose & scraping up her face quite a bit.  Having ascended to Eternal Life now, she is no longer in danger of any more "falling."  God holds her up.

She also now "stands without blemish" in God's presence.  All physical blemishes have been removed, of course.  Whatever bodily form she has is without weakness.  But even more than that, any spiritual blemishes (sins, faults, failures, etc.) have also been erased by Jesus.  She's forgiven, loved & set free from all of that.  Thus,a s she stands before God's throne, there is much rejoicing (by her and us!).

Why? Because she has put her faith and trust in God.  My mom walked this journey of life hand-in-hand with the Great Shepherd.  I praise God for that.  AMEN.

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