When
Jesus gathered the 11 disciples on the mountain top one phase of their life
together
was ending, and another was about to begin.
The
disciples had come a long way since those first days near the Sea of Galilee.
They
had listened to Jesus and they had learned.
They came through tests
together,
endured hardships , witnessed miracles and shared meals with one
another
. Through their three years together, their lives had been changed, for the
better
. Now, they were facing one of those significant transition points in life.
Saying
good bye to what was familiar and to someone they love.
If
we could have asked those disciples that day, I imagine that they would
rather
have had Jesus stay with them.
Like
so many of our launching-into-the-future stages and passages in life, this one
was
surrounded with a sense of awe, mystery and I imagine some sadness. There
was
something sacred about this time with Jesus.
His resurrection gave
understanding
to new life in ways that the disciples couldn’t have imagined.
Beneath
the surface of this revelation, "some doubted." That is what Matthew
tells
us
in the gospel today:
“When
they saw him they worshipped him , but some doubted!"
Under
the circumstances, the state of their hearts and souls may have mixed with
awe,
mystery, sadness, understanding and confusion - so it is not surprising that
some
doubted. They probably doubted that they
could make it on their own;
doubted
that they were up to the task; doubted that their tight-knit group would
even
stay together now that their leader was apparently taking his leave. Loving is
wonderful
and loving is hard.
That
kind of feeling is not uncommon. Imagine anticipating the arrival of that
special
moment, that singular event when your life will take on a different
character,
a different goal, a different setting and not always one of our choice or making. Sometimes we leave in our own time and way. Other times we are catapulted into the new horizon set forth for us and when we are about to leave those comfortable, familiar surroundings with their protective environment there is a bit of doubt in the back of your mind.
Jesus
didn’t want the disciples to get too give into doubt or to get too comfortable.
He
always seems to pushing everyone out of their comfort zone. There was work
to
do. Jesus told them that they weren't supposed to stay, either. Jesus spoke the
words:
"Go,
therefore and make disciples of all nations”.
The
next part of his instructions echoed that baptism is not the end of becoming a
Christian.
It is only the beginning of who we are all called to be in Christ. Jesus
entrusts
the disciples to teach everything that he has commanded while reminding
the
disciples that they were not alone that he is always with them.
This
story. The story of Jesus and the Great Commission is a story of keeping
promises.
From the beginning, God enters into a covenant with humankind and
remains
loyal to that bond, promising us that he is always with us. He is the - I am.
We
are gathered here today as the covenant of Jesus in the promise of the
resurrection
as disciples of Jesus. Jesus continues to ask us to accept life
changes.
It
is Jesus who walks toward us reminding us that he is always with us, giving us
the
courage to go forth.
We
pray together for each other during these changes in our life asking God for
the
strength and courage to accept whatever he gives us always looking to God to
be
our steadfast hope.
Just
as our community of faith celebrates each changing season of the church year,
each
of us experience seasons and cycles of our own lives. We all feel the
restrictions
of our bodies that are changing every day. This gathering of
community
connects us once again to that very day
on the mountain with the
disciples.
God’s promises new life that we witnessed this Easter.
Throughout
his life on earth, Jesus himself depended on the care of many around
him.
He was nurtured by Mary, his mother; tended by women disciples; and
accompanied
by twelve good friends. Angels sustained him in the wilderness and
God
gave him strength often as he removed himself to pray. Even at the end when
it
seemed that he was abandoned , a man named Joseph shared his own tomb for
Jesus’
burial.
As
we move through life on earth, we are often dependent on others to support us,
to
care for us and even do for us. Like Jesus we are nurtured, sustained, and
accompanied
by friends. It is the ministry of the love of Jesus which
gives
us
strength to both give of ourselves in this way and to receive that care with
graciousness
and humility.
When
Jesus gathered the disciples on the
mountain top one phase of their life
together
was complete, and another was about to begin. Jesus blessed the
disciples
with courage to go forth out of their comfort
zone How many times in
your
life have you experienced completion and then having something new start?
The
disciples had come a long way since those first days near the Sea of Galilee.
They
had listened to Jesus and they had learned. Reflect on your own spiritual
Journey
since your first days of listening ,learning and discovering your relationship
with Jesus?
The
disciples came through tests together, endured hardships , witnessed miracles
and
shared meals with one another . Through their three years together, their lives
had
been changed, for the better .
Haven’t
we all come through tests together with Jesus, enduring hardships ,
witnessing
miracles and sharing meals with one another?
Today
we are on the mountain with Jesus . Our faith and trust in the promise of
Jesus
always being with us gives us comfort , guiding us and filling us with hope
to
embrace the new life and experiences that we are blessed with. The is the
resurrection
stretching out before us.
Jesus
gave this care and love to his disciples graciously and with humility blessing
them
to be a blessing to others, equipping them for ministry at each stage of their
lives,
just as we are blessed and equipped today for what God asks of us in this
moment
of our lives.
Each
month when we share this time together at our Eucharist Service. We feed one
another with love and compassion as our story continues to unfold as we go
forth as resurrection disciples.
Tom
and Jeanne.
Your special friendship blesses one another with companionship and care.
Sharing your gift of music entertains and ministers to those who hear your
sweet melody touching hearts in many ways. Tom your reading and sharing of scripture is a
testimony to your faithfulness. You continue to live the gospel in this way.
Discipleship.
Tom
and Eleanor. Your
wisdom, knowledge and kindness are gifts of the spirit that you share so
lovingly. You continue to live the gospel in this way. Discipleship.
John and Mary
Your
devotion to one another and to God is an example of steadfast faithfulness and
honoring the sacrament of marriage.You continue to live the gospel in this way.
Discipleship.
Rose
Your independence and gentleness creates a welcoming
presence of gracious hospitality. You continue to live the gospel in this way. Discipleship.
Rev Mary Kay
You have been called as God’s servant to stand in
his house and to serve at his altar. You are an instrument of God’s grace to
the people, entrusted in your care. You continue to live the gospel in this
way. Discipleship.
Jesus
equips us all with his enduring presence to go forth throughout each stage of
our
lives as we are continually commissioned to teach and lead by example as
disciples,
as conduits of his love and commandments.
Amen.
