We return to Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse” in this final Sunday before Pentecost (John 17:20-26). At the Last Supper, Jesus commends the disciples and those who will believe in me through their word to God. (That’s us!) He prays that we [and they] may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me… so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.
What exactly does that mean to our lives 2000 years later? How
do we live ‘completely one’ in a world so fragmented? Can we attempt to live as
if we believed God truly has given us the love with which you have loved me
may be in them, and I in them?
Throughout Lent, we looked at various women in the Bible as
inspirations for ways to witness and live love. This is not sugary, hearts and
flowers love. It is boots-on-the-ground, in the mud, struggling with real life
issues kind of love. It is love that, hard as it seems, sees everyone as a
child of God. Sees not the ‘other’ but a sister or brother in the image of God.
Next week, we celebrate Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was
given to the first disciples as they gathered forty days after the
Resurrection. The Spirit empowered this motley group of ex-fishermen and ex-tax
collectors and others to speak truth to power. It enabled Peter to stand up to
the High Priest and say, “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified [is] the
stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” (Acts 4:10-11)
That same Spirit is in us, 2000 years later. That same
Spirit enables us to do the hard work of loving neighbor as self—of seeing God
in each other. By the Spirit we are empowered to use whatever gift you have
received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various
forms. (1 Peter 4:10)
We are One Body. However, as 1 Corinthians notes we don’t all
work in the same way. We are many parts, and one body. (1 Corinthians 12) I
think this image of Mr. Potato Head can remind us that it really does take all
the various parts to make up one whole.
Your gift may be to serve as apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:11-12) Or it may be as a cook or parent or pilot or writer or pray-er or… whoever you are and whatever your gift is.
When our life and work is done in love, we can be assured
that we will hear what the Revelation reading this week promises.
(Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21) Ultimately, we’ll hear The Spirit and
the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone
who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
How can we each use our gifts to build Beloved Community
where we are One Body?
