Lectionary for Easter 7

Lectionary for Easter 7

Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your cares on him, because he cares for you.    1 Peter 5:6-7

Collect. Almighty and eternal God, your Son our Saviour is with you in eternal glory. Give us faith to see that, true to his promise, he is among us still, and will be with us to the end of time; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reading. Acts 1:6-14. The reading for this week points us to the Ascension. In some Christian traditions it passes by almost unnoticed yet it is the necessary conclusion to the earthly ministry of Jesus.  Jesus came in human form, ministered and died as a human and then rose again. This final earthly act reveals to the disciples that Jesus is returning to God as a man. The implications for this are profound, that Jesus as the New man has entered into God’s presence. As a human he is now seated at the “right hand of God”. (Hebrews 10:12)

Luke reminds us that for forty days after the resurrection Jesus taught them and his major theme was the Kingdom of God. We remember that from the first records we read of Jesus in the gospels Jesus announces the coming Kingdom of God. (Mark 1:15. Luke 4:43) Some scholars suggest that by asking the question “Will you now restore the kingdom to Israel” they still did not understand Jesus’ ministry. However after forty days of teaching their understanding of the kingdom that Jesus foresaw would have been quite clear. With his return to the very throne of grace Jesus is now placed in the seat of power and so establishment of a kingdom directed from heaven would have made perfect sense. Jesus reminds them of the tasks to which they are called and that is to witness to all that Jesus has taught them. This action of witnessing will be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit which will soon be given to them.

After this commissioning Jesus is taken up as they are watching. This final act that the disciples observed inspires them to greater confidence and they return to Jerusalem filled with joy and worshipping God. (Luke 24:52) The descriptive words used are “lifted up” and just what this means we can only speculate, but that a cloud obscured their view of him tells us that he is no longer visible to the disciples. William Barkley remarks that the disciple’s current understanding was that heaven was beyond the sky and so that fits with their description of the Ascension event. (Daily Study Bible. Acts p.7) For us today the description assures us that Jesus has entered the glory that was rightfully his from the beginning. Jesus is with God in every sense of the word and from there his power and authority is now absolute, no wonder the disciples returned to Jerusalem praising God with joy. Knowing that Jesus is seated in this position of power fills all believers with confident hope.

Prayer. Gracious Lord, you have put all things in their proper place and by your hand you sustain both life and living. Grant that we may trust you more and more and put our whole confidence in you. We know that Jesus our Saviour sits at your right hand and through him we have access to your presence. May this great privilege inspire us to greater faithfulness, trusting in your goodness alone may we be true witnesses to all that Jesus has achieved. This we ask in his most holy name. Amen

Reading. John 17:1-11. This is the Great Priestly Prayer that Jesus verbally prayed in the hearing of his disciples. It is a very personal prayer but clearly was important for the whole church to know and understand. In this prayer we discover that Jesus is sharing his father’s glory in a perfect union.

Just prior to the prayer Jesus has promised that the disciples will be equipped with all that is needed for the ministry that they will undertake. (Thus, ask for anything you need; John16:23f) The work that Jesus came to do is now complete for through offering himself on the cross the victory has been won. Now Jesus is glorified in God’s sight. In one sense it is “mission accomplished!”. Now the time has come to pass on his authority to those who are called to continue the work of proclaiming all that Jesus has achieved. Part of that calling is the understanding that with eternal life comes a union with Jesus himself. Just as Jesus is in perfect union with his Father, so through eternal life comes a similar union with each believer. Jesus does not pray for all but for those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. It is belief that separates those in union with Jesus and those who are not in union. Only belief and trust in the finished work of Jesus brings eternal life.

John’s message to the church comes as many believers are facing hard times not least were the spasmodic persecutions by the Roman authorities. Along with that was the rise of significant heresies which often denied the divinity of Jesus. John is writing to assure the church of the essential nature of the ministry of Jesus. Thus the wisdom and insight that comes through the reading and remembering of this priestly prayer gives a great sense of confidence to those who are witnessing to Jesus’ ministry as well as greatly encouraging believers. Today as we carefully read Jesus’ prayer we see what a privilege we have through Jesus for by his grace we too are linked into a harmonious union with God.

Prayer. Holy Lord, it is by your grace that we dare to approach you through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ. By your mercy we are sustained day by day. You surround us with good things and at all times uphold us. In all of life’s circumstances we can rely on your caring presence. So we give thanks and praise to you for all that you have done for us through Jesus. Grant that we may always trust in him as we live out our lives as his faithful witnesses. May our words and our deeds flow always from the inspiration of your Holy Spirit. We pray in the of Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Amen

Collect. Jesus, you have prayed that we may be one, as you are one with the Father. Prompt our imagination, that we may look beyond the divisions of your Church; empower us by your Spirit of unity that we may live in life eternal, now and for ever. Amen.