Baccalaureate Sermon – 6.3.23
Concordia Christian Academy, Tacoma, WA
Hebrews 13:20-21; Jude 24-25; Matthew 28:16-20
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
I have a good pastor friend who ends just about every conversation by saying, “Go in peace; your sins are forgiven.” You could be talking about the bible or baseball, you could be a close friend or complete stranger and he’d still end the conversation the same way. “Go in peace; your sins are forgiven.”
Now, there are a lot of reasons for this, but one that’s important for us to think about on graduation day is this, that endings are important. And how you end something matters.
Ask Mrs. Shannon and I’m sure she’ll tell you that a well written sentence or a good story, has a good ending. Or, ask Mr. Boyt and I’m sure that he’ll tell you that a good piece of music has a good ending. I remember my high school soccer coach telling us, “you’re only as good as your last game” …the last game of my senior was our first and last win of the season.
That is part of why we’re gathered here today. To mark a good ending. An end of this academic year at Concordia. An end of the tests, papers, projects. And end of giving and grading assignments. At least for a few months of well-deserved rest. An end to our seniors’ time here at Concordia. Awards. Speeches. Commemorations. Family and friends. Parties and gifts. Music and memories. These are some of the ways we end the school year. And those are all good things. Though you can find that anywhere you go. In fact you can have all that and still not have a good ending. One thing is needful for a good ending of a year at Concordia.
The words of Jesus. The good news that Jesus died and rose for you. The promise and peace of sins forgiven in Jesus. That’s what makes today a good ending – that we are surrounded by Jesus’ word and work for you. That’s something you simply won’t find at other schools, that from beginning to end of the school year, and every day in between, Christ crucified and risen for you is part of our school day here at Concordia.
How you end something matters. The inspired biblical writers knew this as well. That’s why all three of today’s Scripture readings come from the end of the books of Hebrews, Jude, and Matthew. A good ending to an academic year, no matter how many years you’ve spent here, not only recounts the days and education, friendships, and memories that lie behind you…a good ending also prepares you for wherever our Lord leads you in the coming days, months, and years. A good ending doesn’t just mark the road traveled, it also prepares you for the journey ahead.
How you end something matters. And a good ending not only reflects on the achievements and accomplishments, the knowledge and wisdom gained in the past years, it also equips you for wherever our Lord calls you next. The author of Hebrews has this to say…
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in usthat which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
How you end something matters. And a good ending not only causes us to reflect on God’s mercy in the past but leaves you with his promise for the future. Before his ascension, Jesus left his disciples with a promise, the same promise he gives to you, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus who was crucified, died, risen for you, who promised to be with his disciples as he sent them out to preach his word and deliver the good news of his dying and rising; he promises to be with you as well. School years may end. High school may come to an end. Many, many things in life will have an end. But Jesus’ word. Jesus’ love for you in his death and resurrection. Jesus’ promise to you will never end. “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
You see how you end something matters. It’s kind of like that old adage you’ve heard from your teachers, parents, and grandparents through the years. It might be your room or a campground out hiking. Leave it better than you found it.
This is our hope as teachers, faculty, and staff, as parents, friends, and family, that as this school year draws to a close, as you, seniors, graduate…as you look back on all the practices, games, performances, and schoolwork…as you share memories with family, friends, and teachers…and most of all, as you hear the words of Jesus who died and rose to save you, that by his grace, you leave here better than when you started. Full of his wisdom. Full of his grace. Full of his mercy.
It’s true, life is full of endings. And so as you go forth from this place, with all the endings in life that are yet to come, you go with and in and surrounded by the endless love of Jesus who made an end of death by giving his life for you.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
“Go in peace; your sins are forgiven.”
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
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