Benediction: A Sonnet

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Text: (Num 6:22-27 ESV)

“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.””

This is the Word of our Lord. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Broken Promises

As passing go the days of ev’ry year

The promises we make we rarely keep

A resolution make but not adhere

As dreams from mem’ry go when rise from sleep

Pureness of heart will drive the good intent

But those intents have paved infernal roads

And though reflection on them brings lament

It doesn’t change our course as evil goads

So long as flesh is born in fallen earth

Rebellion will precede physical birth.

Our Baptismal Promise

In Baptism we make a solemn oath

Renouncing every devil’s work and way

In purity the One Who would betroth

We pledge our faithfulness to final day

Yet though our bridegroom forfeit all His life

We callously discard His affection

Our hearts and deeds do not befit His wife

And question memory of connection

Though deluge purged out Adam’s legacy,

The patriot still acts the enemy.

God’s Baptismal Promise

Yet from the flood, creation sprang anew,

And from New Adam’s veins, eternity

And just as one tree God’s image withdrew,

Yet with another gives it back to thee

And even though like Gomer, we still stray,

Our Lord forever claims us as His own

By water and His Word with each new day,

Renews His vows until we face His throne

Adopting us, bequeaths to us His name,

Indwells and grants the Holy Spirit’s flame.

The Promise at the Tomb

In Baptism, the New Man comes alive

And transgression’s left buried in the grave

Just as the Lord Himself did once revive

And pave the Way for those He died to save

So those who go again as from the womb,

By water and the Spirit rise again

As Christ was raised exalted from the tomb,

Shall follow His example at the end.

As Resurrection looms, we need not fear

His promised blessing given when He’s here.

Now the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Originally preached Dec 30, 2009