He believes we can save the world!

Years ago during Christmas holiday I had reluctantly accompanied my parents to one of my brother’s homes for the week of Christmas. I say reluctantly because I was very down and it seemed to me which ever way I turned things were not working out. I knew I wouldn’t be much company but I needed to be around familiar faces and hoped that that might distract and comfort me.

But the truth was that being in a crowd of people, even ones I knew, only seemed to make my failures increase in my estimation as I contemplated on them instead of the conversation occurring around me. I felt like a lead weight.

One night after everyone had retired and all the lights had gone out I lay in bed and I heard voices which were quiet but distinct. It was my Mom & Dad and they were talking about me. I listened intently and my Mom was saying that she was worried about me, that she had never seen me so down. There was a pause and my Dad spoke up in his noted southern accent and stated, “Mom, Candy is the most resilient person I know – she will make it through this”.

As I repeated his words back in my head I felt renewed somehow. To hear that my Dad believed in me was wonderful. I always felt I had been a major disappointment and truthfully I had, but my Dad believed I would make it.

Do you know what it feels like to be believed in when everything you have done says you’re a failure?

The disciples were told many times that those who have eyes to see and ears to hear and yet again and again they didn’t see or understand. As we take time to remember Jesus and his life death and resurrection let’s go back to the last meal with them and read what was recorded in Matthew 26:26-32

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

And in Luke 22:14 -20

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Our participation in communion is one way of remembering Jesus and his demonstration of his belief in us:

· Jesus went ahead and chose death even though it seemed his disciples didn’t get his message and even abandoned him. He believed his disciples heard his message and saw his model and that they would fulfill the work he left them to do. I am pretty sure if I had been Jesus that I would have asked God for either a few more years or a whole new group of followers :-)

· Jesus told Peter when you have turned back strengthen your brothers.

· Jesus told Mary to tell the disciples to meet him in Galilee after he had risen.

Jesus believed in them and I will say he believes in us! Just as he had faith that the disciples and those who followed him would carry on the message of his life, Jesus has faith that those of us who are also the result of that faith will carry on his mission.

As we celebrate this communion and this remembrance let us be renewed in our belief, in our faith and commitment to Him, Jesus, who chose a bunch of misfits who he knew with only his help could they begin to rescue the world. Becasue he believes in us let us rise up from our disappointment and forgive and be forgiven.
Let us join Jesus in his belief that we may join Him in saving the world.