Word to the Wise
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - 2nd Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 5:17-26 and John 3:16-21]God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. [John]
One of the more intrepid forms of preaching that I have witnessed over a number of years was the strategically placed banner at large athletic events with JOHN 3:16 emblazoned on it. At football games one could see it between the goal posts. At baseball games one could see it in the bleachers in the outfield! If a single sentence could sum up the entire Gospel According to John (and maybe the whole New Testament), the first sentence of the quote above is it! Jesus is the one whom God has sent.
Over and over again [at least 53 times] in the Gospel According to John, the word "sent" appears to remind us of Jesus' mission [and ours]. And, in Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to the disciples, he "sends' the disciples on mission: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." [John 20:21] The folks with the banners took that charge seriously! That charge is easily forgotten because most of us are baptized as infants. We don't often think of ourselves as "sent" to preach the gospel, but only to "believe." The connection between faith and mission gets lost. The words in John 3:16 are of a piece with the words in John 20:21. By virtue of our baptism we are "sent." Where do we go? Wherever we are!! AMEN