Christ Is Risen! He Is Alive!

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:19-22 NRSV)

John’s version of the Pentecost event differs significantly from that of Luke (Acts 2). In John’s version, there is no rushing wind; there are no tongues of flame; there is no speaking in tongues, foreign languages or dialects; and there is no crowd and public display of power. John sets the event on that first Easter night, among the disheartened yet hopeful Disciples of Jesus who are gathered within a closed and locked room. According to John, that is where and when the church began. As for the how: John says that the Risen Christ appeared among those few; spoke a word of peace; commissioned those few to go out to the world; and gave them the Holy Spirit, the very Breath of the Living God, to empower and accompany them on the journey.

Two thousand years later, I find John’s version of the founding of the Church to be compelling still. In my own experience in the faith and in the church, I find that Christ most often comes to a few rather than to a crowd; that he comes simply and quietly where he may be least expected; that he commissions those who would follow him to be most like him and to go and to act; and that he does not skimp in bestowing the Spirit for companionship and empowerment.

Some years ago, I first wrote that one of the most important roles of a pastor is to discern and to notice the movement (the action) of the Holy Spirit within and among the followers of Jesus he/she serves, to point it out, and to celebrate it openly. I believe that to this very day and perhaps you may remember my saying it or writing it over these past few years together. As we prepare to take our leave from one another, I assure you of this yet again: Christ is alive here among the people of Smith Memorial Church; and the Holy Spirit will continue to accompany you and empower you to do wonderful things in mission and ministry on Jesus’ behalf. As I move on to help others tend another part of the vineyard, I encourage you to continue to tend that part where God has called you. With Father, Son and Spirit, God’s realm is becoming, all around us.

Peace,

Andrew