Easter 5 C The Panic of Transition
Easter 5 C The Panic of TransitionApril 20, 2008By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell
important question to ask is, “Who is in
charge?” we all know from personal
experience the importance of leadership!
Depending on the situation, loss of
leadership could range from depression
and grief to panic and fear. What are we
going to do now without our leader?
Jesus has been with his disciples for three
years, and now he tells them that he is
about to die. This is the man they have
learned to love and trust. They have bet
their lives on his leadership. Jesus can see
their concern on their faces… what are we
going to do without you?
As we speak, we know that the Diocese of Oregon and Eastern Oregon are looking for bishops or a bishop. St. Paul’s in Walla Walla is looking for a new rector. Any time there is a period of transition, there is bound to be feelings of grief and uncertainty. Things will be different. What things? How will the inevitable changes affect me?
years, and now he tells them that he is
about to die. This is the man they have
learned to love and trust. They have bet
their lives on his leadership. Jesus can see
their concern on their faces… what are we
going to do without you?
As we speak, we know that the Diocese of Oregon and Eastern Oregon are looking for bishops or a bishop. St. Paul’s in Walla Walla is looking for a new rector. Any time there is a period of transition, there is bound to be feelings of grief and uncertainty. Things will be different. What things? How will the inevitable changes affect me?
Jesus can see the looks of concern on his disciples faces, and he says, “Trust me, do not let your
hearts be troubled.”
Our translation of today’s Gospel used the word “believe” to translate the Greek word “pisteuo”– believe in me – but for many the word “believe” conveys the sense of intellectual assent. Some scholars think that the word “pisteuo” has more of a connotation of trust and fidelity. When Jesus says, “Trust me” it is more of a relationship thing, than an intellectual thing.
We remember that at one point in the disciple’s journey as they were headed towards Jerusalem a
large number of Jesus’ followers turned around and went home. At that point Jesus askes his
disciples, “Are you planning to leave me as well?” They know full well that there is danger
ahead, but one speaks for all and says, “Who else would we follow?” That’s a trust relationship!
What shall we do in the face of change? Jesus tells them to trust God and trust him. He also
implicitly tells them to trust in themselves and in their relationship. “You know the way,” he
asserts, “I am the way, and you know me!” Trust yourself to know what you know. Trust what
we have done here together, and keep doing it. Keep loving each other as I have loved you. You
know God because you know me. You know the way because you know me. Trust yourselves.
Trust me. Trust God and keep going.
We remember that at one point in the disciple’s journey as they were headed towards Jerusalem a
large number of Jesus’ followers turned around and went home. At that point Jesus askes his
disciples, “Are you planning to leave me as well?” They know full well that there is danger
ahead, but one speaks for all and says, “Who else would we follow?” That’s a trust relationship!
What shall we do in the face of change? Jesus tells them to trust God and trust him. He also
implicitly tells them to trust in themselves and in their relationship. “You know the way,” he
asserts, “I am the way, and you know me!” Trust yourself to know what you know. Trust what
we have done here together, and keep doing it. Keep loving each other as I have loved you. You
know God because you know me. You know the way because you know me. Trust yourselves.
Trust me. Trust God and keep going.
Psalm 23 is another reminder. “Yea though we walk through the darkest valley, we fear no evil,we keep going, for God is with us.”
This I believe is how the Christian faith works. We hang around Jesus Christ in our study of
Scripture, in our dialogue of understanding, in our private prayers and in our corporate worship.
Gradually we begin to see how love and grace work for Jesus. We see how love and grace work
for other members of the faith community. We watch, listen, and learn.
Over the years I have recruited lots of Church School teachers. When first asked, many have
tried to excuse themselves because they say they don’t really know enough about the Bible or the
Church to be a teacher. One woman said, “That she would never consider teaching Church
School until she had a through understanding of scriptures.” I knew she would never do either.
Example) There was a couple who taught Sunday School and said they were “not good” at
teaching the lessons, but they both LOVED the kids! Love is the best teaching foundation.
In the face of his disciples “troubled hearts” Jesus says to his friends, “You belong to me and I
belong to you. Nothing will ever be able to separate us, or keep us apart. My love will live on in
you, and between you.”
If you love one another in this way, the way I loved you, Jesus says, that’s how you will be
identifiable as my disciples.
Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish scholar who teaches the New Testament at Vanderbilt Divinity
School, says that when her son was young, she would bring him along to class, wearing his
yarmulke and fringes. She would say to the class for the benefit of the Christian students, “When
you talk about Jews or Judaism, think about this child. Say nothing that will hurt him, and say
nothing that will cause a member of your congregation to hurt him. Do not use other religions as
a foil, do not bear false witness against them, and do not make the gospel of love into a message
of hate.
Right now, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion are going through a period of
transition. In the history of the Christian Church this is not our first brush with challenged
leadership and heartsick confusion. The situation begs the old question: “Who shall we follow?”
as disciples of Christ we are called to love one another as he loved us.
I confess to you, that Ernie Campbell hates conflict. But if in the name of love, we have to
patiently and compassionately listen to one another to work out our differences, then that’s what
I have to do.
When Jesus makes the exceptional claim, (no one comes to the Father expect through me) he is
using love language with the people who love him most and are about to go through serious
trauma with him. Barbara Brown Taylor, and others, have reflected on the intimacy and love
language in this passage. It is not language intended to exclude others, but rather language
intended to embrace those closest to him, and to comfort them. Come to me, and come to God
through me. Remember? We have already been doing it.
What do we do as followers of Christ when the way we are headed seems different and
uncertain?
We love one another as Christ loved us, and we listen for, and learn from, the directions of God’s
Spirit in our hearts.
In the face of his disciples “troubled hearts” Jesus says to his friends, “You belong to me and I
belong to you. Nothing will ever be able to separate us, or keep us apart. My love will live on in
you, and between you.”
If you love one another in this way, the way I loved you, Jesus says, that’s how you will be
identifiable as my disciples.
Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish scholar who teaches the New Testament at Vanderbilt Divinity
School, says that when her son was young, she would bring him along to class, wearing his
yarmulke and fringes. She would say to the class for the benefit of the Christian students, “When
you talk about Jews or Judaism, think about this child. Say nothing that will hurt him, and say
nothing that will cause a member of your congregation to hurt him. Do not use other religions as
a foil, do not bear false witness against them, and do not make the gospel of love into a message
of hate.
Right now, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion are going through a period of
transition. In the history of the Christian Church this is not our first brush with challenged
leadership and heartsick confusion. The situation begs the old question: “Who shall we follow?”
as disciples of Christ we are called to love one another as he loved us.
I confess to you, that Ernie Campbell hates conflict. But if in the name of love, we have to
patiently and compassionately listen to one another to work out our differences, then that’s what
I have to do.
When Jesus makes the exceptional claim, (no one comes to the Father expect through me) he is
using love language with the people who love him most and are about to go through serious
trauma with him. Barbara Brown Taylor, and others, have reflected on the intimacy and love
language in this passage. It is not language intended to exclude others, but rather language
intended to embrace those closest to him, and to comfort them. Come to me, and come to God
through me. Remember? We have already been doing it.
What do we do as followers of Christ when the way we are headed seems different and
uncertain?
We love one another as Christ loved us, and we listen for, and learn from, the directions of God’s
Spirit in our hearts.
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