There are other times when the word disciple is the word of choice. A disciple is a student. I never want to stop learning from Jesus. A disciple is disciplined. Even though I am tempted to be lazy, I know that remaining a student, a disciple requires of me a certain level of discipline. Everything is not okay. Everything does not go.
And there are times when the word apostle expresses in just the right way the angle I’m looking for. Apostle is from the Greek verb apostello – to send. An apostle is one who is called and sent on a mission. And the mission to which we have been called and on which we have been sent is to be the continuous splash of the one who hit the water that day on his baptism.
The power of that splash is so strong that for about twenty centuries now it has not lost any of its power. It hits those Jesus has called and seeks to set them on a new course. The power of that splash is aimed at all the places that need water.
These folks are directing the powerful spray of their hose at a fire. You are the continuation of the splash of Jesus’ baptism and he’s sending you to fight fires, too. But you probably won’t need special equipment. Where in your world are fires of anger burning? And I don’t mean the world at large. It would be nice is one of you were the one who could go over to the Middle East and extinguish the fires of hatred and mistrust that have raged for centuries. But closer to home, in your circle of family, friends, co-workers, neighbors… Is there resentment, rage, annoyance, irritation burning in the life of someone who matters to you and could you be the one to splash a little calm, a little reason, a little understanding that might diffuse or even douse those flames? {Blessed are the peacemakers.” Matthew 5:9}
“I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” Certainly the splash of Jesus’ baptism would have us soothe the bodily thirst of the world’s poor. And I suspect some of you, through the ELCA’s Good Giftsprogram have contributed toward proving the least of these with clean water to drink. But again, in your own circle of relationship, where are those who are thirsty for intimacy & friendship, who are craving some care and kindness in their life.
And there are times when the word apostle expresses in just the right way the angle I’m looking for. Apostle is from the Greek verb apostello – to send. An apostle is one who is called and sent on a mission. And the mission to which we have been called and on which we have been sent is to be the continuous splash of the one who hit the water that day on his baptism.
The power of that splash is so strong that for about twenty centuries now it has not lost any of its power. It hits those Jesus has called and seeks to set them on a new course. The power of that splash is aimed at all the places that need water.
These folks are directing the powerful spray of their hose at a fire. You are the continuation of the splash of Jesus’ baptism and he’s sending you to fight fires, too. But you probably won’t need special equipment. Where in your world are fires of anger burning? And I don’t mean the world at large. It would be nice is one of you were the one who could go over to the Middle East and extinguish the fires of hatred and mistrust that have raged for centuries. But closer to home, in your circle of family, friends, co-workers, neighbors… Is there resentment, rage, annoyance, irritation burning in the life of someone who matters to you and could you be the one to splash a little calm, a little reason, a little understanding that might diffuse or even douse those flames? {Blessed are the peacemakers.” Matthew 5:9}
“I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” Certainly the splash of Jesus’ baptism would have us soothe the bodily thirst of the world’s poor. And I suspect some of you, through the ELCA’s Good Giftsprogram have contributed toward proving the least of these with clean water to drink. But again, in your own circle of relationship, where are those who are thirsty for intimacy & friendship, who are craving some care and kindness in their life.
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