A few weeks ago, my daughter and I stood by the bedside of my mother-in-law for the final time. Just a few hours earlier that same day, while Grandma was still at Aspirus Hospital, I had shared a devotion. Then, we followed the ambulance and the EMT team that brought her back to Rennes Health and Rehab Center in Rhinelander for hospice care. All of Grandma's systems were shutting down. She was nearing the end of her earthly journey. So at Rennes, we visited a few more minutes. The hospice team was standing next to us, ready to do the intake process with Grandma. So, after we had shared a final hug, we turned to leave the room.
But then we heard her voice one last time. Pointing directly at me she said, “Blessing, for the road.” She was asking for the Benediction. She knew exactly what she needed for the final mile of her journey home.
She asked for that blessing, because in our devotions I often emphasized the comfort that comes from knowing we are baptized children of God. We bear the name "Christian!" We are redeemed children of God, by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! (See Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Peter 3:21)
And in worship, more than a few times, I have focused on the weight behind those familiar words from Numbers 6:24-26, the Aaronic Benediction. When the Lord gave this blessing to Aaron, the Lord explained. "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:27)
The Benediction isn't just a polite way to end a service, as if it were a two-minute warning before the final hymn that alerts us, "Wake up! We're almost out of here!" The Benediction is a legal and spiritual branding. It is the Lord stepping forward and placing his name—his identity and his protection—squarely upon you and me! In that moment, our Redeemer Lord is making an announcement to the world, to our anxieties, to our worries, to our fears, and even to the devil himself, shouting:
"This one is mine! Hands off! I bought and paid for this precious lamb with the blood of Christ." (See Isaiah 43:1, John 17;11-12, Revelation 3:12, and Revelation 22:4)
Whether we are heading into a busy workday, a difficult conversation, or, like my mother-in-law, our final road home to heaven, we do not walk alone. We go with the Name of the Lord on our forehead and his peace in our heart.
"Blessing, for the road." Those were the last words we heard from my mother-in-law. Maybe someday down the road, those will be the last words I speak to a pastor or a fellow believer who stands next to my bed. But those are also good words for us to remember today. As we go about our week, I pray we remember that we bear the name of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We belong to the One who bought and paid for us in full. (Romans 14:8) We have nothing to fear. (Romans 8:31-38)
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look upon you with his favor and give you peace."
What an incredible privilege to share the grace of our Lord to the dying, and everyone I can, while I still have life and breath.
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
But then we heard her voice one last time. Pointing directly at me she said, “Blessing, for the road.” She was asking for the Benediction. She knew exactly what she needed for the final mile of her journey home.
She asked for that blessing, because in our devotions I often emphasized the comfort that comes from knowing we are baptized children of God. We bear the name "Christian!" We are redeemed children of God, by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! (See Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Peter 3:21)
And in worship, more than a few times, I have focused on the weight behind those familiar words from Numbers 6:24-26, the Aaronic Benediction. When the Lord gave this blessing to Aaron, the Lord explained. "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:27)
The Benediction isn't just a polite way to end a service, as if it were a two-minute warning before the final hymn that alerts us, "Wake up! We're almost out of here!" The Benediction is a legal and spiritual branding. It is the Lord stepping forward and placing his name—his identity and his protection—squarely upon you and me! In that moment, our Redeemer Lord is making an announcement to the world, to our anxieties, to our worries, to our fears, and even to the devil himself, shouting:
"This one is mine! Hands off! I bought and paid for this precious lamb with the blood of Christ." (See Isaiah 43:1, John 17;11-12, Revelation 3:12, and Revelation 22:4)
Whether we are heading into a busy workday, a difficult conversation, or, like my mother-in-law, our final road home to heaven, we do not walk alone. We go with the Name of the Lord on our forehead and his peace in our heart.
"Blessing, for the road." Those were the last words we heard from my mother-in-law. Maybe someday down the road, those will be the last words I speak to a pastor or a fellow believer who stands next to my bed. But those are also good words for us to remember today. As we go about our week, I pray we remember that we bear the name of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We belong to the One who bought and paid for us in full. (Romans 14:8) We have nothing to fear. (Romans 8:31-38)
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look upon you with his favor and give you peace."
What an incredible privilege to share the grace of our Lord to the dying, and everyone I can, while I still have life and breath.
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
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