Dear Disciples of the Word,
Last week we considered what it means to be an assimilated member of the body of Christ. In effect, we can use that as a check on our own discipleship. What are we doing and believing and sharing in our days that will ensure disciples being faithful witnesses in the next generation? Have you ever considered how unlikely it was for the faith to make it out of the first century, with disciples like the ones Jesus picked?
Here we are, coming up to the celebration of Pentecost, 2,000 years after that first Pentecost day. It was after the Apostles met with Jesus for 40 days as He “opened up the Scriptures” for them. Ten days later the Lord brought them to a mountain top and then….. well, He left! I mean He didn’t go to the next village or next miracle. He left. He ascended. He disappeared from their sight. It was likely more amazing, more mind blowing than watching the rockets taking off into the sky as we do today.
If anything was clear, it was that Jesus was THE leader with all the answers and the disciples (still) were followers with more questions than answers. But it was time for Him to leave. He had to leave or…. It wouldn’t surprise me to read about this being the end of the story about Jesus. In fact it would be expected that Jesus’ disciples would disband, return to their homes and jobs and that would have been the end of the story of Jesus, recorded in encyclopedias and no longer shared with joy and power. In fact, that is what the disciples did even while Jesus was with them, appearing and disappearing over those 40 days before His ascension. The gatherings totaled just 11 since Judas committed suicide. Not all eleven make it to Easter (Thomas the Doubter is missing – not sure where he was but he surely was not with Jesus! And He is determined NOT to believe until He touches the wounds of the Risen Jesus. Peter and some of the others go back to fishing (yes, while Jesus was making appearances).
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
They were “glad” but still without the power they would need to make witness faithfully. That gift of the Holy Spirit is described simply and powerfully by Luke in his second book, the “Acts of the Apostles” (Chapter 2:41-42).
So those who received His word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Miracles upon miracles and suddenly, with the rush of a mighty wind (Spirit), “it” begins. It is Pentecost and the Spirit comes and the disciples share the faith. People met even daily to hear the Apostles and experience a new fellowship, the Body of Christ. And daily they shared the meal Jesus had offered to them on Maundy Thursday. And they prayed for all in Thanksgiving to God for the rising of the Lord and the sharing of His Spirit
So, to this day, disciples gather regularly around the Word and Sacrament. Faith continues to spread in each community and into the world. I remember, sadly, of the days when our Sunday School consisted primarily of children studying the Word. Because we had 3 services on Sunday morning it was really tempting for parents to “drop off” their children for Sunday School while they went home or to a coffee shop and they picked them up afterwards. It was not all that easy for children to sit attentively in worship trying to understand the “adult” sermon. Now we have Sunday school for children that is scheduled midway through the 10:30 contemporary Sunday worship service. Children leave for their study of the Word after two lessons, an occasional children’s homily and communion.
We join with the majority of Christians in the world who use lessons from Scripture (the Word of Promise from the Old Testament and the teachings of the Apostles in the New) each week. So the Word is central to our gatherings in worship. But when do our adults have opportunity for study of the Word and reflection on it with other disciples?” Because that study is so important, we have a multitude of days and times for that to happen. Because the largest gathering of our members is while they are at worship, there are two Bible studies offered at 9:30am, between our two Sunday worship services (8:30am and the contemporary10:30 service).
And since some members gather weekly in worship on Saturdays, we offer another study at 4pm before the Saturday evening (5:30pm) service). And since there are some people today who have more questions than answers concerning the faith, we offer Alpha (beginners’ study and worship). Then there are bi-weekly classes for women at 10am on 2nd and 4th Mondays and a men’s group gathering on 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 8am. We add to that two weekly Wednesday studies (at 1pm and 6:30pm). We also email the daily reflection on the Word and share how the faith is lived out in the church (Faith Matters and Faithful Friday postings). And, finally, for those unable to make it to church, we send out the services online to hear the Word from the 10:30 service.
That’s quite a lot of opportunities for reflection on the Word for kids and adults. Those offerings reflect our concern for the Word, for our continuing in that Word of Life, that word of Truth, that Word that points to the Way. The study of the Word is about more than knowing about God and His will. It is THE tool to guide the mission of the church and knowing Him as our personal Savior. When Jesus gave us our assignment (the great commission), it was to go and make disciples (you remember, right?). And how would disciples be made? “Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you!” And where would we find those directions and commands? Ta dah! Yep, in the Word is where we find the power for salvation. As Paul wrote to the Romans (1:16), For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.”
Therefore? Invite a friend (or an enemy or a stranger or a family member or a child) to reflect on the Word with you. It is nurture and power. It draws us together and sends us out with a clear mission. Pass these Friday postings or the daily “Faith Matters” to others so God can work HIS change in our hearts and theirs.
May God’s Word be on our lips and in our hearts daily.
In Him,
Pastor Johnson