Worship Resources for Sunday May 22nd–Fifth Sunday of Easter

Revised Common Lectionary Readings: Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; John 14:1-14; 1 Peter 2:2-10

The Gospel lesson from John is a favorite to read at funerals.  It is a message of hope Jesus conveys to the disciples after telling them that he will be betrayed and crucified, after Peter asks Jesus, “Why can I not follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you” (13:37) and Jesus foretells Peter’s denial.  Then Jesus gives this message: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God, believe also in me.”  Jesus tells the disciples that he is going ahead of them to prepare a place for them.  Jesus tells them that they know the way to the place he is going.  And of course, the disciples do not understand.  Thomas declares they don’t know the way.  Jesus tells Thomas, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life… if you know me, you will know my Father also” (vs. 6-7).  Immediately following, Philip then shows his misunderstanding: “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied” (vs. 8).  Jesus, as I imagine, smacks his head and says, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?”

We must remember the context of these verses, especially vs. 6, as it is often quoted out of context.  Jesus says “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes through the Father except through me,” in response to the disciples not knowing the way, not understanding who Jesus is for them.  Jesus goes on to say in vs. 11 “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.”  There IS room for those who have some disbelief and do not understand, but still believe in the works that Jesus does, the works of love.

I have had a love-hate relationship with the Gospel of John over the years.  It is the first Gospel I studied intently in Sunday School, and I loved it.  Over the years, hearing some of the passages taken out of context I despised it, wanted to count it out because it didn’t match up the other three Synoptic Gospels well, and because so much of it was quoted to condemn others, especially to blame Jews for Jesus’ death.  I am back to loving it because I have read it so many times over the years that I now know every time someone quotes John to read the verses before and after.  How many times have we heard “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son; that whoever believes in him will not die but have eternal life.”  John 3:16–the verse so many of us memorize at an early age, the verse printed on business-card sized tracts handed out at revivals and street evangelism outings.  How many of us read 3:17?  ”Indeed, God sent his son not to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him” (emphasis mine).

John 14:1-14 reminds us that while Jesus is speaking to his small group of followers, while these words are for the disciples, the general message is for all people.  It is true–if we want to know God the way the disciples knew God, we have to go through Jesus-there is no other way.  Jesus IS the way.  Jesus IS the truth.  Jesus IS the life.  There is no other way for those that want to know God in the way the disciples knew God.  But Jesus also says in this passage that there is room for those who do not believe in the same way.  We are reminded of Christ’s command in the preceding passage, in 13:34-35: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know you are  my disciples,  if you have love for one another.”

Living the way of Christ is not easy, but it is simple: love one another.  Believe that God is in Jesus and Jesus is in God, but if you can’t, believe in the good works of love in Jesus.  But it definitely isn’t easy.  The passage of Acts is the telling of the stoning of Stephen, a martyr for the church.  Stephen modeled the love of Christ, the commandment to love one another, by his last words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them,” (7:60).

Psalm 31 is a prayer for deliverance from enemies, a prayer to remain steadfast, and to know that we belong to God, especially in times of trial.  1 Peter 2 is also a passage about being steadfast in times of persecution, in times of rejection by others.  We are fed by the the word of God, the spiritual milk of Christ (very feminine image, by the way!)

The way of Christ is not easy, but simple: love one another.  Believe, and allow others to believe.  Even the disciples doubted and were accepted, so make room for others who have doubts and disbeliefs.  Build up one another by encouraging and loving one another, and be an example to others.  That is the Good News.

Call to Worship:
Leader: We are given a new commandment
People: We are called to love one another
Leader: We are given a new name
People: We are called disciples
Leader: We know the way to the place prepared for us
People: The Way is Christ
Leader: We know the way to live in this world
People: The Way is Love
Leader: Come, let us go and share the Good News
People: Let us share in the works of love

Prayer of Confession:
Loving God, You have called us to love one another, but we define that love by our standards and not Yours. We call it tough love when we turn away from people on the streets, telling them to help themselves. We call it love when we tell others to pull themselves up, without lifting the burdens we as society have placed upon them. We call it love when we reject others and abuse the name of Jesus. Forgive us, Lord, for the misuse of Your name and the misunderstanding of Your love. Forgive us, O God, when we reject our brothers and sisters based on human standards and refuse to include based upon Your love. Open our hearts to Your children. Open our hearts to hear Your words anew and to restore Your ways in the world. In Your Son Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon (from 1 Peter 2:7,9-10):
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Once you had not received mercy, but now you receive mercy. You are God’s own people, who has called you out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. You are forgiven, renewed and restored. Amen.

Prayer:
Gracious God, we praise You for the wondrous earth You have given, for our home here in the universe, perfect in Your creation. Guide us in right ways of living upon this home that we may be good stewards of all of Your gifts, sharing in the work of having dominion over the earth in the way You have dominion over us and all of creation; that we might care and sustain the earth for all generations, for Your good works and glory. We thank You for the gift of Your commandments, that we may know how to live upon this earth, and for the greatest commandment to love one another, that we may know each other as brothers and sisters, Your children. Help us to love one another, and to care for all that You have given us, that we might live fully for You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.