Matthew 28: 16-20 (Leisure World Sermon)

 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.