5/10/20

Sermon Notes:

The gospel selection for Sunday – John 14:1-14 -  takes us back to the night of the last supper.

Taken together, chapters 13-17 are often called the Farewell Discourse. In chapter 13 we see Jesus wash the feet of his followers and share the last meal with the ones he called beloved, even as Judas makes his fateful decision. In chapter 14 Jesus begins to explain his impending departure. He speaks words of comfort and hope, promise and straight talk. Still, the disciples do not quite understand.   

Why would we take time out of the season of Easter – when we have already celebrated the resurrection – to go backwards into the story? It is as if the lectionary asks us to pause for a moment during this season of Eastertide to go back to the words Jesus said before the drama of the passion began. How did he prepare his people for his departure? What were his promises? What were his instructions?

The big miracle upon which all other miracles rest is the miracle of God coming into human form in the person of Jesus Christ.  Once Jesus’ ministry begins in earnest, however, everything begins to point toward the crucifixion. The disciples who have taken part in the incarnation will now take part in the crucifixion. Jesus is telling them there is more to us than the finite nature of our lives. All physical things that come into physical life will leave this life, but there is something eternal that is alive in us now and goes on living. 

Jesus tells the confused disciples not to be troubled, to return again and again to the central truth: “I know you and you know me. You know me and I know you.” Friends, we are invited into this safe place as well.  We are known. And we are loved. No matter what we face, even threats to physical existence, we are known and loved. In the face of threats to our composure, our sanity, still, we are known and we are loved.

So let’s gather again in that upper room and return to that safe place together.

See you Sunday!

Jane