Rev Bill

Today’s sermon is up on my sermon blog. It’s the fifth in my series for the Easter Season this year — based on John 14:15-21 and entitled “An ‘Easter Church’ Makes A Difference”.

Here’s a portion of it:

A set of twin girls were born 12 weeks premature, each about two pounds. They were placed in separate bassinets. One started to do just fine – but the other one began slowly to fade. Her heart beat was rapid — she was visibly anxious — and nothing the nurses could do seemed to be able to stop what seemed like her inevitable death. Then one of the nurses remembered something she’d read about treatment of preemies elsewhere in the world. As a sort of last resort the nurses put the weaker twin into the bassinet with her sister. The results were immediate and dramatic. The smaller twin snuggled up to her sister, and her heart rate immediately slowed to normal. Her color came back. The baby visibly relaxed, almost with a sigh of relief. She accepted nourishment. The crisis was over. She would survive. That tiny baby did not know who she was, or where she was. But somehow she knew where she belonged. And she knew when she was where she belonged.
Our souls are like that.
Deeper than words, back behind all conscious thought, our souls know what they need.
Sometimes all a person needs is to know that they are not alone – that someone – maybe you – are there to walk with them through whatever it is they are facing. Walking as a companion, not a judge, not a guide, not as someone with all the answers. But simply as a loving and caring companion. As their friend and – and a friend of Jesus who lets them know they are not alone.
I think that’s what Jesus meant when he said:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
Loving Jesus.
Obeying His command.
Making a difference.
Making a difference to God.
Making a difference to Jesus.
Making a difference to each other.
Making a difference to others.

You can read the sermon here.

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