2/17/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
John 14:27-29 reminds me of a warning light in a car. Not the kind of light that says, “uh-oh, pull over right away and call the tow truck.” No, not that kind at all. This passage is more like the warning light that turns on and says, “You’ll need to fill the gas tank if you want to drive for another hour.” It’s the kind that says, “You need an oil change pretty soon.”
Jesus is warning the disciples that he is going to go away. He is not planning to leave them without help. He is going to go, and then he will come back again. They won’t have to worry, but they need to be ready. It’s going to be kind of strange. But they don’t need to fear.
The resurrection and ascension of Jesus is a sign to the world and to the Church that Jesus really is God the Son. It is a sign that says he is firmly in charge of what is happening. It is a sign that he will care for his people. He would not leave them otherwise.
Christians, then, can take comfort. Jesus has risen from the dead. They too will rise from the dead. Jesus has ascended into heaven. They too will ascend to heaven. What if they don’t remember the way? Jesus will come to get them. There is great comfort. We are not left alone.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
John 14:27-29 reminds me of a warning light in a car. Not the kind of light that says, “uh-oh, pull over right away and call the tow truck.” No, not that kind at all. This passage is more like the warning light that turns on and says, “You’ll need to fill the gas tank if you want to drive for another hour.” It’s the kind that says, “You need an oil change pretty soon.”
Jesus is warning the disciples that he is going to go away. He is not planning to leave them without help. He is going to go, and then he will come back again. They won’t have to worry, but they need to be ready. It’s going to be kind of strange. But they don’t need to fear.
The resurrection and ascension of Jesus is a sign to the world and to the Church that Jesus really is God the Son. It is a sign that says he is firmly in charge of what is happening. It is a sign that he will care for his people. He would not leave them otherwise.
Christians, then, can take comfort. Jesus has risen from the dead. They too will rise from the dead. Jesus has ascended into heaven. They too will ascend to heaven. What if they don’t remember the way? Jesus will come to get them. There is great comfort. We are not left alone.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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