Then, before long, the bulb grows a firm stalk, a bud forms, and at last a beautiful flower opens up. What an exciting, hopeful event! We learn from nature that there is new life after the death of winter and this may help us understand the Easter story.
Can you imagine what a surprise it must have been for Mary to see Jesus again after he had died? Jesus said to Mary, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God"(20:17). At Easter time this is the happy surprise that we talk about - that Jesus rose from the dead and went to be with God in heaven. This is the happy surprise that makes us Christians. This is the happy surprise of God's love.
We read in the Bible about Mary Magdalene who felt great sadness when Jesus died. The death of someone we love is a very great loss. We are told that "Mary was standing outside at the tomb (where Jesus had been buried) weeping" (20:11). When she turned around she saw someone standing there and thought it was the gardener, but when he called to her, "Mary" (20:16) she understood that it was Jesus. Jesus had been resurrected. Resurrection is a big word that means Jesus was brought to life again. He said, "I am ascending to… my God and your God" (20:17).
From the time of his birth Jesus had a special purpose. He said that the reason he came into the world was to help others understand the truth about God. That is the greatest purpose. Take time to think about what your special purpose may be. You have gifts and talents that are God-given. Learn what they are and use them to share God's love and truth with others. You too can say, "For this reason I have been born."
Jesus tells us in the Bible that, "…I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth"(18:37). Testify is a word that means you are telling the absolute truth, as you would if you were in a courtroom and had taken an oath. Jesus also says, "Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice" (18:37). He tells us that there will be no changing of God's story. God's love for all of us is absolutely true. And we can count on that!
Jesus knew God's plan for his life in a way that we never will. He knew his life was ending - and all throughout today's Gospel reading Jesus shows us that he knows exactly how his life will end. He knows that Judas will turn him over. He knows that Peter will be afraid. And if you listen carefully, you'll hear that he even knows his final words. He knows his life is over - but more importantly, he knows that his death is not the end. After Good Friday comes Easter. And after Jesus' death comes his return and his life in heaven. Today is a hard day. But have faith, because good things are coming.
I’ll tell you one more surprising thing about Jesus’ longest prayer. He prays for you in this prayer. Did you know that? He prays for me. And he prays for all the people sitting here today. Listen. Jesus says: “I ask you, Father to care for those who will believe in me because of [the first disciples’] word.” Jesus knew that his Church would keep on growing and growing. He knew there would be many more followers—billions of us. So he prayed for you and me, too. He prayed that we might live all our lives as followers of Jesus. I’m glad that in Jesus’ longest prayer of all, he prayed for you and me too!
Jesus said, before he returned to heaven, "… even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us…" (17:21). He speaks to God the Father and this is what I think he means – that God is a part of him and he is a part of God and we, when we accept God's love, are also included. We can think about it in the way we think about making tea. God's love stirs us together so that we become one – we become Christians. Just as we cannot separate the ingredients in a cup of tea, God's love cannot be separated from us. Just as a cup of tea warms our spirits, so too does God warm and flavor our lives with his love.
Children's Sermon John 17:20-26 All Together By Lois Parker Edstrom Object suggested: A cake. Share with children if appropriate to situation. We eat cake on special occasions like birthdays, anniversary parties, and at weddings. What is your favorite kind of cake? White cake? Chocolate cake? Carrot cake? Banana cake? Applesauce cake? Lemon cake? Suppose [...]
After praying for his disciples, Jesus prayed for you. He prayed, “Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word.” (17:20) Jesus prayed for people who would hear his message because he knew his disciples would tell others. When the disciples told others about Jesus, those who heard about Jesus told more people. In fact, all through the years, people have been sharing stories about Jesus. You have heard about Jesus from your parents, a teacher, or the pastor. Aren’t you glad that Jesus prayed for you?