Stewardship of Life

Into the World

By Sharron R. Blezard, May 14, 2015

Lectionary Reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 17, 2015

As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:18-19

When I was growing up, a lot of the Christians I encountered seemed intent on being set apart from the wickedness of the world, keeping their eyes on the prize of heaven and day when they would be whisked away from all of the sin, degradation, and suffering of the present age. I remember this notion seeming downright odd to me because the world I saw seemed like such an amazing place sparkling with wonders, delights, and promise.

Maybe I was simply looking at life through the innocent wide-eyed view of childhood, followed by the clouded and naïve lenses of adolescent invincibility, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why the adults were all bent out of shape about dancing and movies and letting us wander the streets and shopping malls in giddy, raucous packs that lived fully in the moment without a care in the world. Who were these killjoys who sang about love and Jesus and the roll being called up yonder on the other shore on Sundays yet who lived such dull, fear-filled, and cautious lives the other six days of the week?

Today, I do see the world through a different lens, and I’ve encountered my own version of the age-old apron-string game between parent and child. I see the dangers that I couldn’t see before. I understand the risks involved in almost every life decision. I understand that the powers of darkness and forces of evil are real and present. And yet…

…And yet I remain unconvinced that the world is something the Christian stands over and against. The theological vision painted by Jesus in his prayer is definitely one where disciples are sent and fully immersed in the world, with all its wonders and woes. Yes, there are problems aplenty. There are folks who are quite solidly in touch with their dark sides and who think precious little of harming others to meet their own objectives. Sin and chaos grow weedlike among the fruits of discipleship in a way that must frustrate the master gardener and creator of the cosmos. Life can be tough. Hurt, pain, and suffering are part and parcel of the journey, and we walk by faith that we have by pure gift—not of our own doing or merit. There are times that it’s impossible to make sense of everything, to get a handle on this discipleship thing.

…And yet we can take comfort in knowing that the first disciples didn’t have this faith thing down any more fully or better than we do today. And they had Jesus right there with them! They saw everything: they witnessed the miracles, they heard the parables, they watched him die, they laid him to rest, and even when he turned logic and reason upside down and defeated death, appearing before their very eyes, some doubted. They doubted, I’m pretty sure, even as Jesus prayed the powerful prayer from this week’s gospel lesson. They even doubted and gaped as they watched him ascend into the glory of the Father before their very eyes on what we celebrate as Ascension Day. Still, they were sent into the world, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, they ignited a movement.

Jesus’ high priestly prayer is that we may be one—with God, with one another, and with all of God’s good creation. Our Lord has already interceded for us, and we are incorporated into this one body through the waters of baptism. It’s out of our hands and WAY out of our control (thankfully). We walk in Christ’s authority. We walk as God’s beloved in a world that God proclaimed good. We walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. We have nothing to fear, nothing to lose, and everything to gain. The Spirit is already at work in us, forming us for ministry and mission, sending us out into the mission field of this world. We are not against it. We are not over it. We are smack dab in it as God’s people — beloved, named, claimed, and sent to help usher in the full reign of God. If that’s not some mighty fine good news, I don’t know what is. Preacher, this ought to preach. Teacher, you’ve got plenty to work with here. Blessings on your proclamation and holy instigation! Hey, you might as well start fanning next week’s Pentecost flames now.

In Worship

We have been and are being sanctified set apart and made holy in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. At the same time we are sent to be fully immersed in a hurting and troubled world. How can this be that we are both set apart and made one? With God all things are possible Even as we are being sanctified and equipped to do God’s work on this earth, God is busy reconciling all the broken fragments and dislocated pieces of creation in Christ. We are involved in a creative redemption and restoration of God’s good creation. That’s an exciting concept! What if you gave everyone a puzzle piece today when they come into worship. Remind them that even though we are set apart as God’s beloved, we are not complete until all the pieces of the puzzle come together. This is why we are sent–because the Body of Christ is not complete until all have been welcomed to the table. Remind worshipers that although their one small part of the puzzle may not seem like much, without them the puzzle can’t be whole. On the way out give them another puzzle piece and invite them in the sending to give someone in the world a puzzle piece this week and an invitation to come and see how they fit into a picture of radical hospitality, passionate worship, and real life in Christ.

With Youth

Invite youth to contemplate the story from Acts this week. It’s a story about appointing new leadership. What if we in the church drew lots for positions of authority and leadership? How do they think that would work out? Could we trust that God, already knowing everyone’s heart, hears our prayers and gives us clarity for our decision making? Sometimes it seems like we have to beg people to step forward to help out. Invite youth to ponder the benefits and difficulties of the way the new apostle was chosen. Why or why not might this work in our context today?

With Children

Draw a happy face and a sad face on two poster boards measuring at least 8 x 11.5 inches. Invite the children to say which face looks like it knows what joy is. Find ways to affirm all answers. Then tell them that in the gospel lesson today, Jesus prays for his followers, desiring them to have his joy within them. Invite the children to think about what it might look like to have Jesus’ joy inside of them. Then tell them that today’s psalm says people are happy when they do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or sit with people who bad-mouth and make fun of others and of Jesus. Instead happy and joyous people follow God’s laws and think about them. In doing so they grow and flourish like a deeply rooted tree where there is plenty of water, and they bear good fruit. Invite the children to consider what might make the sad face happy. Hopefully one of them will say Jesus. Give each child a happy face sticker to remind them that with Jesus there is joy and happiness enough for an eternal life time–and that’s a LONG time. Finish with a simple prayer.

(Photos: Nelson L, Javcon117*, and www.glynlowe.com, Creative Commons. Thanks!)