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Seventh Sunday of Easter (A) Gospel: John 17 May 8th, 2005 Brothers and sisters, in case you didn’t know it, this past Thursday was a very important and special day in the life of the church. 40 days to the day since Easter—Ascension day went by (except for a few of us professional religious folk and those whom we already told) it went by practically unnoticed—a day when the church celebrates the ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ…!... that after being resurrected from the dead on Easter, and after appearing to many people for a stretch of forty days, Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right-hand of God, from where he sends to us the Holy Spirit—God’s life-giving presence who comes to dwell with us…at all times—Christ’s presence—who watches with us, who waits with us (as well as leads us into action), helps us/teaches us to pray, opens our eyes with new eyes of faith—the Holy Spirit who transforms us into new people. When Jesus ascended it signaled to the people a new time—a new era. The ascension meant that he was taken out of their sight in a unique way—signaling that his appearances were at an end and now the disciples would have to rely upon the unseen…in the new era. But what, we might ask, is to characterize this new era? What is it to be like? Well…In our gospel text we have a flashback to a pre-death and resurrection Jesus—A glimpse at Jesus’ hope for what his disciples might become—as we hear what he prays to God the Father. Within the prayer Jesus speaks of his own being/becoming one with God the Father. What does this mean? From the start of the prayer, it is clear that the son is to be glorified, in order that the Father will be glorified (vs. 1). It points to a continuity of purpose between the Father and the Son. That is, Jesus has the will of God the Father. And this will…this purpose…it seems, is what Jesus hopes the disciples (those he says were given him by the Father) will have the same continuity of purpose with the Father. That is, he wants our wills—our desires—our purpose in life to be the same as Gods! It’s a pretty outstanding notion isnt’ it? Jesus wants us to be on God’s side and visa versa. So, my question is this: in the congregation (and in our hearts), do we have this unity of purpose with God? Is it really us with God? Or sometimes I wonder if it isn’t us verses God? It all starts with a basic question: What is the goal of our faith…? What is the goal of your faith? Many people, I believe, will say, that there faith gives them salvation. This is their goal…justification (especially Lutherans). “I want to be right with God, so that I know where I am going, when I pass away.” Sometimes our own personal salvation—or at least understanding how God’s promises impact their own chances at getting to heaven—seems like the most important thing about life. The problem is, that sometimes we get stuck at the doorway. We ask questions like: whether or not God loves us, whether or not we are acceptable, whether or not we will be saved…not realizing that these, in themselves, are selfish, and if you think about it, silly questions. Why would God spend so much time molding each one of us the way he does if he didn’t love us? In his prayer that we hear today, Jesus wants us to be like him…at one with God. But what if this had been Jesus concern—getting to heaven—if he had wanted his own salvation, he never would have sacrificed himself and died. Rather, his will was conformed to his Father’s will…he was out for redemption yes, but the redemption of other people (or the whole world). Jesus’ drive was not a push for salvation, but a drive that was ignited and fueled by his own love for his brothers and sisters. His ministry and his sacrifice was the result of the love of God that inspired him and came to define him. His legacy was not his own salvation, but his love for us. And so it should be for us. Our legacy should be, not that we go to heaven when we die, but that we loved when we were alive. Now (one more thing to ponder). In his prayer, Jesus distinguished between the world and the disciples. He is not praying for the world, but for the disciples who will remain in the world. It should be noted, however, that Jesus has already made it clear in John’s Gospel that the world is of ultimate concern (John 3:16). This prayer, however, is for the disciples to walk through the door opened to them! Accepting and trusting God’s promise so that their goal may be unity of purpose with God (rather than any other false idol or false goal). In this way they (and we), with power from on High—the power that God promised us will use our hands and our feet and our voices to carry on Christ’s work and Christ’s Spirit in the world—that being for the purpose of the redemption of the whole world. And may it be so. Happy Ascension everyone. -------------------- Joshua W. Magyar, Pella Lutheran Church 418 W. Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
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