Jesus Forms the Church
For many of us, this morning’s gospel reading is quite familiar – do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me…In my father’s house there are many dwelling places…I go to prepare a place for you.
This passage of scripture is frequently read at funeral services. These words provide comfort at the time of death; proclaiming that Jesus has going ahead of us to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house and he will come again and take us to that place; so that where he is, there we may be as well.
For those of us who follow Jesus, this is indeed good news – this is the truth – we always have a dwelling place in God’s house where we live in the presence of Jesus, the one who came that we might have abundant life.
This is our resurrection promise and our hope, given to us by the Holy Spirit when we are baptized.
Jesus first spoke these familiar words to his disciples on the last night of his life, as he gathered with them around the table one last time, sharing one last meal, and having one more conversation about what it means to live in the kin-dom of God on earth as in heaven.
Knowing that the time had come for him to depart this world (John 13:1), Jesus was preparing his followers for the time when he would no longer be physically present with them.
Jesus used his words and his deeds on that last night to strengthen the faith of his friends (their trust in the Word of God) and to form them to be God’s people in community, with Jesus himself as the cornerstone and foundation of that community, so that they could continue to trust in God’s promise of new life even after Jesus was no longer with them.
Remember all that Jesus did that night at that last supper?
- He washed his disciples’ feet and told them to do the same for each other
- He took bread, broke it, blessed it, and gave it to them
- He took a cup of wine; blessed it, and gave it to them
- He gave them a new commandment – to love one another as he has loved them
- He told them he was preparing a place for them; and he told them they knew the way to that place
In all that he did that last night, in his words and deeds, Jesus forms the church, using his own body and blood as the foundation.
All of this was a bit much for the disciples to take in on what must have been an emotionally draining night for them. It would take some time for Jesus’ words and deeds to sink in and become real in their hearts and minds and souls.
These followers of Jesus continued to meet together even after Jesus died and rose from the grave and ascended back to heave; they continued on the way that Jesus had shown them to live – breaking bread together, talking with each other about all Jesus had said and done, forming community, deepening their trust in God, giving thanks and praise for the new life they had been given.
In the words and deeds of Jesus, his followers found the place that he had prepared for them on this earth, in this life, where Jesus was still present with them in word and deed, even as they trusted that one day Jesus will come again and take them to the place where he was going; so that where he is, they may be as well.
In the words and deeds of Jesus, his disciples were formed, over time, into the people that God called them to be here and now; they were formed into the body of Christ – the assembly of God’s people – the church, where Jesus is present in the word and in water and bread and wine; formed as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
And so it is for us today.
Jesus has prepared a place for us in his Father’s house and Jesus will come again and take us to that place; so that where he is, there we may be as well. That will happen some day.
And, in the meantime, even now, we who are followers of Jesus are formed in faith by Jesus, through his ever present words and deeds, in the place that Jesus prepares for us on this earth, in this life.
The place that Jesus prepares for us on earth now is the church, the body of Christ, the assembly of all God’s people; who gather together to worship and praise God and give thanks for the new life – the life of grace and love and freedom – we have been given through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Here in this place known as Holy Trinity Lutheran Church you are formed into the church – the body of Christ – a community of faith – through worship. Here you gather together around the table where you are rooted and formed by water and word, bread and wine and then sent out nourished and fed to serve God and God’s created world.
Here in this place you come together not as a social club, though fellowship is important; growing in relationship with each other builds community.
Here in this place you come together not as a service organization, though you are called by God to reach out beyond these walls and serve your neighbors.
Here in this place you come together as members of the body of Christ; the church formed by Jesus.
In this place you are a worshiping community – gathered and formed to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and to share that good news with each other and all the world through your words and deeds.
In this place you are people doing the best you can to live your lives in joyful response to God’s free gift of grace; to hold fast to the teachings of Jesus and to follow him as you live boldly, without fear, in this place Jesus has prepared for you.
Now, in your life together in this church, in this community of faith, this is the place Jesus has prepared for you, for this season of your life together.
This is the place where you come to dwell in God’s house; listen to God’s Word and receive Christ’s body; grow and change together; as you are formed into the people God calls you to be for the sake of this world that God so dearly loves.
May God grant you wisdom and courage as you follow the example of Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life that leads you to the place Jesus has prepared for you.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!