Grounding these rich and
varied passages in the Gospel reading may lead the preacher to focus on how the
Trinity is manifest through and in the church, a fitting theme for the Easter
season. John’s Jesus assures the disciples that the church is permeated by Christ’s
abiding presence that nourishes a people who know God the Creator/ Father/ Source/
Love and who concern themselves with the needs of the whole world “in the name”
of Jesus. Marva Dawn once described this commitment to the needs of others as praying “in the character of Jesus.” All that
we ask for from a frame of reference that is akin to Jesus’ own vision will be
answered.
GOSPEL READING: John 14:1-14
The
setting for this reading is Jesus' last supper with his disciples. He had
washed their feet (13:5), predicted that one of them would betray him (13:21),
and told Peter that he would deny him three times (13:38). There were plenty of
reasons for the disciples' hearts to be troubled.
The
primary source of concern, though, was that Jesus had told them he was going
away (13:33). Peter had asked where Jesus was going (13:36). Chapter 14
continues with Jesus speaking words of reassurance while the disciples continue
to misunderstand. In typical Johannine style, those misunderstandings permit
the gospel writer to lead the reader more deeply into the wonder of Jesus'
identity and work.
Three
main themes emerge. In verses 1–4, Jesus assures the disciples that he is not
abandoning them. . .
In
verses 5–11, Thomas' question about the way and Philip's question about the
Father lead Jesus to speak about his role in revealing the Father. Jesus is the
only way to enter into life with God and the only truth about life with God.
This is because of the mysterious and mutual relationship between Jesus and the
Father. The Father is present, and has been present all along, in Jesus' person
and work. For this reason, faith may perceive the Father through Jesus and his
ministry.
This
leads at last in verses 12–14 to Jesus' promise to do whatever believers ask in
his name, so that glory may be ascribed to the Father through the Son. It is
the character of Jesus' life that defines what may be asked “in Jesus' name.”
Jesus promises to grant requests that are consistent with his own life and
work. – Aaron J. Couch
FIRST READING: Acts 7:55-60
The
lectionary selects only the verses that tell how Stephen was stoned to death. .
. [which] is nearly incomprehensible without reference to the accusations of
blasphemy against Stephen (6:11) and Stephen's inflammatory speech, in which he
recites Israel's history of failure and accuses his antagonists of being
stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears. . . When Stephen reported a
vision of Jesus as exalted Son of Man, his enemies acted to silence him. The
remarkable thing about Stephen's death is his imitation of Jesus, praying that
God would forgive his murderers. – Aaron
J. Couch
EPISTLE READING: 1 Peter 2:2-10
The
Christian community is invited to reflect on the nature of its life with a
variety of images: newborn infants, spiritual house, holy priesthood, holy
nation, God's own people. Although these images keep changing throughout the
reading, the nature of the underlying exhortation remains constant. The people
of God are called to remain connected to the life-giving power of God in
Christ, experienced through active participation in the Christian fellowship.
The
image of being built into a spiritual house leads to reflection on a
paradoxical quality of Christ as its living cornerstone. Three Old Testament
passages (Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14–15) are woven together to
explore how God's gift in Christ can be a source of joy for believers, yet also
a stumbling block for those who do not believe. . . Christians are invited to marvel that they
have become God's people and to see that they have an important service to
fulfill in declaring God's powerful works. – Aaron J. Couch
Aaron J. Couch is a co-pastor of First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon.
Homily Service 41, no. 2 (2007): 145-154.
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