Sermon Snippet for May 21, 2023

Text:  John 17:1-11

Today’s reading continues Jesus’ work of preparing his disciples for their role in the ultimate “left behind” story.  He knows that his time with them is short.  Once he has died and been raised, Jesus will not be with his closest friends and followers for long.  He will ascend to heaven, from whence he came.  His disciples, however, will be left behind.  Left behind, as theologian David Lose reminds us, “to continue the work God first entrusted to Jesus.”  

We are to be Jesus’ “living legacy” in the world, and to do this we will need Another Advocate to teach, guide, and empower us in this work.  Jesus promises to give his followers this Advocate (aka the Holy Spirit); as Lutheran Christians we believe this promise is fulfilled when we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.    So how and when does this work take place, given that even the most regular church attenders only spend about 1% of our time each week at church?  I’m guessing you spend more time at it than you think – every single day.

• Making order from chaos:  cleaning, laundry, taking out the trash, clerical/admin. work

• Feeding the hungry/thirsty:  making Kool-Aid, fixing dinner, donating to the food bank

• Mending what’s broken: drying a child’s tears, applying a band-aid, saying “I’m sorry”, fixing a flat tire/damaged toy, public advocacy, legal work, construction trades, etc.

• Inspiring hope/dreams/discoveries:  story tellers, teachers/coaches, artists of all kinds

• Caring for creation: caring for pets, recycling, gardening, mowing/watering the lawn

• Honoring each person’s dignity – saying “please/thank you”, actively listening

• Caring for the needy, working for justice & peace, prayer/praise/worship

These are only a few of the many, many ways that the work of Jesus – God’s work – continues to be carried out by regular folks like us with the help of the Holy Spirit.  In leaving us behind, Jesus prays for us, and honors us with an invitation to participate in the glory of the Trinity.  Imagine that!