Sermon on Easter 5A: Do We understand Jesus?
This is again one of those weeks where there’s so much to choose to preach on, but one must be selective and narrow it down. In the reading from Acts we have Stephen, the first martyr, a witness who dies for the faith, with the first mention of Saul, who shall become Paul. How did Paul feel about watching the coats of the men who committed lapidation (a word I learned on Jeopardy!), stoning Stephen to death.
And next is First Peter, saying how we should long for the belief that brings us salvation. By believing we become special, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people” responsible for proclaiming God’s works.
And then the gospel in which Jesus is proclaiming God’s works to his disciples, and they do not understand. Both Thomas and Philip cannot comprehend what Jesus has said, is saying. Is that our problem? Is that the eternal problem? We have so much of the gospel declared and even explained to us, yet disagree so much.
In this passage is one of the few references to what heaven should be like. Remember I’ve said that heaven is not really described much in scripture. But here we have “dwelling places” mentioned, although without any further description. Are they pup tents? Dormitories? Mansions (used in some translations)? Bungalows? Cloud Caves? The best part seems that there will be the Father and the Son dwelling with us in heaven. On a related issue, Jesus clearly declares a strong alignment between him and the Father, building toward the idea of the Trinity.
But the most important thing for me in the readings today, refers back to Stephen in Acts, and the point of the author of First Peter. Jesus says “the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these….” Stephen did the works that Jesus called for. First Peter describes the glory of those who both do and proclaim God’s works.
Yet there is some confusion. Jesus has gone to the Father, but not to contradict the Lord, he doesn’t always seem to do anything that we ask for in his name. Is that a misunderstanding? Or do we have to do it instead? This world is in a lot of trouble right now, more trouble than it’s been in for a while. It’s gonna need a lot of help to heal. How do we do that best? Where do we put in our efforts? Spend our money? Make new rules? These are all big questions some are already discussing, even fighting about. Do we understand what Jesus would have us do, while we still have time here? Heaven is for the future. What about the here and now?
Written for the parish of St. James & St. George 2020 May 10
URL: <http://therev.brianpavlac.org/srms/20200510.html