But Jesus's relationship with his disciples might be better described by the example of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Teacher. Mentor. But the kind who walks side by side with you. The kind who sets out on the adventure with you. The kind who travels with you. The kind who adventures with you.
Perhaps even more than "There is another Skywalker," the Farewell Prayer or High Priestly Prayer is "You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine..." Not that Jesus is speaking to the Big Bad. But is like a little like the point where Obi-Wan makes darn sure that he's standing where Luke can see his big moment.
As Jesus prays, he is no longer speaking directly to his disciples, but rather to God. But they're all sitting right there, overhearing the divine conversation. Luke may not have gotten to overhear Obi-Wan's words, but he got to see them put into action. And in his angst and confusion, Luke cries out, "No!"
Which also sounds pretty much like the disciples, doesn't it? Over and over again, they just don't get it. But the time is coming, and coming soon, where they must stand on their own two feet. Or twenty-two feet. You get what I mean.
Of course, Luke—just like the disciples—hasn't been completely abandoned. He still has the Force. Heck, he still has Obi-Wan in a very real sense.
And that's what this prayer is about. The disciples may need to step up, but they won't have to do it without being empowered. Because before Jesus has his big moment, he petitions God on their behalf.
Be good to each other,
Rev. Josh
051215
Lectionary texts
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Psalm 1
Happy are those who do not follow
the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in
the law of God,
and on God's law
they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand
in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation
of the righteous;
for God watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
1 John 5:9-13
If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
John 17:6-19
[Jesus said:] "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.
"And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth."
