Sermon 5/16/2021 “Protected!”
Preacher: Jo J. Belser
Location: Church of the Resurrection, 2800 Hope Way, Alexandria, VA
Text: John 15:1-8
Day: 7Easter, Year B
“Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me,
John 17:11
so that they may be one, as we are one.”
This prayer is part of a long, meandering prayer that Jesus made at what we call “The Last Supper,” the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples. We call this whole talk by Jesus his “Farewell Discourse,” his parting words to his friends and to God on his friends’ behalf before his Crucifixion.
Jesus’ farewell words weren’t so much a prepared speech as a long train of thought. His farewell words were Jesus’ musings as he tried to prepare them and even himself for the ordeal of his death he knew was soon to come.
“Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,” Jesus prayed.
With these words we recall that Jesus’ human parents hadn’t chosen his name. Instead, as Matthew’s gospel tells us, a spiritual being—an angel—had appeared to Mary and told her she would bear a son who would be named Immanuel, which means “God with us” or “God saves.” This incorporates the prophecy of Isaiah that the Messiah would come to be with us and would be known as “God saves.”
Matthew’s gospel also tells us that—not leaving the naming just to Mary—an angel appeared to Joseph and reinforced the message. The angel told Joseph he was to name Mary’s baby Jesus, which means, “to deliver” or “to rescue.”
The name of Jesus, therefore, is particularly important. By his very name we know Jesus’ lifetime mission was “to save,” presumably to save humankind on God’s behalf. So, when Jesus prayed to God in the name God had given him, he made his prayer of protection for his disciples, he was reminding himself of what he was here to do: to provide a way of restoring creation and freeing us from our bad choices.
I heard a young theologian wonder aloud last week why the Jews and even the Romans hadn’t disposed of Jesus’ disciples as they had crucified Christ. The Book of Acts in the Bible tells about the many attempts on their lives and the many instances of their miraculous escapes. Eventually all the apostles but John were martyred for proclaiming the name of Jesus, as Jesus himself had foretold, but not before having proclaimed that name to the ends of the earth as Jesus had instructed.
So, Jesus’ prayer of protection for his followers in today’s gospel lesson wasn’t an idle prayer. Jesus was about to Exodus from this earth and finish his rescue mission. He asked God to protect his followers as he had protected them all along. Jesus’ prayer for his disciples would help them to follow him, to repent when they strayed, and to heal others as he had done. And it kept them safe until their work here was done.
I don’t know for sure about you, but I suspect and fervently hope and believe that Christ Jesus is still praying this prayer, praying it on our behalf. “Father, protect them…” which is to say, “Father, protect US” from what our Compline service calls “the dangers and perils” of this life.”
When I say, “the dangers and perils” of this life,” what comes to mind? Did you think of:
- Hijacked gas lines?
- Domestic and international terrorism?
- The virus? …. Virus deniers?
- Rampant greed?
- Random shootings?
- Fear and despair, which is anger turned inward?
The dangers and perils of this life are real, but they are “only” symptoms of the brokenness in creation, the brokenness of creation from which Christ Jesus came to rescue us and protect us. Bad things—truly bad things—like these that happen are symptoms that point us to the REAL dangers and perils of this life: failure to be in union with God and one another, failure to act in concert with God’s love, and failure to embody Christ Jesus’ rescue mission in the world around us.
Jesus’ prayer today tells us the life-giving solution to the “dangers and perils of this life.” We are to be at-one with God and with each other. We can’t take pride in not hijacking anything, not killing anyone, or not taking advantage of anyone. Instead, we are to take the next step and be “at one with” God and with all of creation. No denial, no avoidance, and no apathy are allowed.
We must follow Jesus’ example. When Jesus ended his Farewell Discourse, he didn’t run from his mission or deny the pain of life. Instead, he embraced the dangers and perils that awaited him. Christ Jesus carried out his mission to its painful end and beyond, loving and praying protection for us all:
“Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me,
so that they may be one, as we are one.”
So, how are you doing today? Have you given up, given in to despair of the dangers and perils of life? Are you, like me, angry that our world seems to have lost its rationality and order? Or has Christ Jesus’ joy been made complete in you, as Jesus prayed?
I think I know the answer to this last question, simply because, like me, you are here today, either in person or virtually. Worshiping and spending time with God in each other’s presence is a way we look in hope for joy. Jesus prayed that our lives would be transformed by truth:
- The truth that greed is hollow and that a life of greed leads to death.
- The truth that, as the Psalmist says, love will prevail.
I know I’m preaching to the choir here at Church of the Resurrection. Corporately, we have chosen life, chosen to live in service to others. And there are many among us who have invested a tremendous portion of their recent lives in creating a legacy of love. In the process, I’ve noticed, they have become “one.” They don’t think alike; they aren’t at all like-minded. In fact, there are flaming liberals AND hardcore political conservatives among them and among us at Resurrection. And yet, we are all one in Christ Jesus, united by his prayer of protection and unity, and all living in hope and joy.
The challenge ahead is clear: To embrace all who God sends us, ever-widening the God-circle of oneness that is Church of the Resurrection so that it extends to the whole West End of the City of Alexandria and beyond.
