Text study on John 14:15-21
Lectionary text for May 29, 2011
My first reaction when reading this Gospel passage is: Wow! There are so many places to start thinking about a sermon. Where do we begin?
Do we focus on loving God? Do we focus on the “Spirit of truth” that’s coming? Or should it be, how do we know the abiding presence of the Spirit? Do we focus on keeping Jesus’ commandments, since the passage begins and ends with that?
The answer, of course, could easily be, “Yes” to all, and you would have sermon topics for at least the next three or four lectionary cycles. While I don’t know which one of these questions resonates most with you, I do know it would be unwise to approach all of them at once!
This time, when I read this text, verse 18 leaps out at me: “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”
Maybe it’s because I don’t often use or hear the word “orphan.” Maybe it’s because I sense urgency and motion from Jesus. This is not a statement that implies passiveness.
Most likely it’s because of the strong connection to the promises of baptism that I feel. In baptism, we know we are not orphans. We are children of God.
Those who feel abandoned
Few of us, fortunately, have experienced being an orphan. But, nonetheless, there are people in pews and pulpits and hovering in entryways on Sunday morning who do feel abandoned.
They may feel distant from their family because of a recent argument, or perhaps they have been ostracized on the playground. They may have lost their job or predictable income and no longer have the stability and comfort they once had. For whatever reason, the fear of being alone can be very real.
Hearing Jesus’ promise that he will not leave us orphaned is very powerful. Our fears and our isolation are taken in by God. We are refreshed and renewed, comforted and held tight.
These promises should not lead us to ignore or downplay the situations in our communities in which fears of abandonment are real. Rather, the reality of abandonment in our human relationships makes it even more important to hear this promise that Jesus makes and to remember that we all receive the promise: “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”
Talkback:
- When have you felt like you were alone or abandoned? Were you reassured of God’s care for you? How?
- Whom do you know that may be experiencing fear and isolation? How does God urge you to extend the promise of God’s care by your actions?
Jenn Moland-Kovash is co-pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Palatine, Ill.. She is a graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She loves to splash in the baptismal water during worship so much that her congregation gave her a Super Soaker water toy so she could better reach the back pews.
Thank you for sharing Jenn. Reading the little bio about you and the waters of baptism reminds me of a dear pastor friend in PA. She too makes a mess with the water at baptisms. It gets all over. All are reminded of their own baptism. I believe that she too was given a Super Soaker by her congregation.
Thank you for these thoughts about God's presence in our lives. I lost my mother this week, the only remaining member of my family. It is hard to be an orphan, even as an adult. Your article was particularly timely for me. Thanks to my mother, I have the faith to get through this lonely time knowing that God is with me.
Peace be with you, Lucy -- thank you for the comments. Our faith, when passed through the generations, remains and becomes a living comfort.
Thanks, Ivy! The kids, especially, have learned to duck when I'm near the baptismal font!