Going Home

Today is the day!

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matt. 28:16-20

So, Jesus is going home and no doubt, his friends are a bit uncertain about the future.

Jesus reassures them, telling them he is with them through it all, right up to the end of the age, whenever that is.

So, now what is going to happen?

It's not like they built a business together, though they do share a ministry and have a message to take to the world.  By design, then, they need to scatter.

First, Jesus was gone, suddenly and, though expectedly, they weren't prepared.  Then he came back, albeit in a different form, something unique and unusual, but temporary.

And now he is going away for a much longer time, leaving them to take it from here.

Over the years, what they built by going their separate ways has grown into a major force in the world.  The message has spread far and wide, but it hasn't taken hold everywhere.

So, what is our ministry?  Is it to continue to spread the message where it isn't heard?  I think we have abandoned that ministry to some extent, focusing instead on trying to herd our sheep, especially those we feel are lost.

One of the powerful things about our faith is that you really cannot kill it.  It is built into our minds, hearts and souls, thanks to the Holy Spirit which somehow, mysteriously, dwells there, where we need it most.

We can stray, but we are never truly lost.  At some point, we will find our way back, either when the struggle gets too rough or we hit the bottom of whatever barrel we find ourselves in.

Maybe if we make the message of Jesus super simple, people will remember what we have said and will come home to it later, when they need it.

Maybe that message is what Jesus told his disciples.  I will be with you til the end of the age.  

None of us are ever alone.

Amen!

More to come...