St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Living with Jesus' absence?

In the weeks following Easter our gospel readings look at (i) the times the disciples saw Jesus after his resurrection, and (ii) what Jesus said about himself to prepare the disciples for when he wouldn’t be there with them. They are all about this question: now that Jesus isn’t here in the flesh, how can I live with him as his follower?

The New Testament’s answer is: I can live with him in my life, because he gives me his Holy Spirit to keep me close to him.

Why not have a look at the bible passages for yourself:

Luke 24:36-48 (May 4th). Jesus came and stood among them, although the doors were locked. So was he a ghost? No, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to eat a piece of fish. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. We’ve got the same scriptures here today, and we too can have our minds opened by inviting him to come in and show us. If we do, then his word can become “a light to our feet and a lamp for our paths”. Do we take care to read and to ask him to open our minds?

John 10:11-18 (May 11th). “I am the good shepherd,” says Jesus. A shepherd looks after the sheep, guiding them to safe pasture and keeping them safe from wild animals. The same way, we can know his guidance in our lives and he can keep us safe from those who are out to get us. In fact, he will give his own life for us, more than any ordinary shepherd would do for sheep. Do we listen to his voice, as v16 says?

John 15:1-8 (May 18th). “I am the true vine, you are the branches,” says Jesus. Just the way that the branches are fed by the sap which flows from the roots up the vine, so we can be given strength by his power flowing into us. So Jesus not only gives us guidance which we can take or leave, but inner strength to do what he says - if we want. Do we “remain in him” as v4 says?

John 15:9-17 (May 25th). Although we may not have Jesus in the flesh, we do have Jesus’ other followers around us. So he gives us this ‘new commandment’ - “Love each other as I have loved you” (v12, and John 13:34). He can encourage us and guide us through others - that’s why it’s important for us to keep coming to church and meeting other Christians in such settings as housegroups and fellowship meetings. Do we take care to love each other and “not give up meeting together” as Hebrews 10:25 asks us?

I need all these - and you do too!

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. May 2003, Page 2.
Home Page. Index of articles. Bible & Sermons: index, Bible versions, The cross, 1 Peter, Read Mark, Without Jesus? Injustice. In this issue: (May 2003) Why vote? Jesus' absence, Iraq, STV.	Living with Jesus' absence? In the weeks following Easter our gospel readings look at (i) the times the disciples saw Jesus after his resurrection, and (ii) what Jesus said about himself to prepare the disciples for when he wouldn’t be there with them. They are all about this question: now that Jesus isn’t here in the flesh, how can I live with him as his follower? The New Testament’s answer is: I can live with him in my life, because he gives me his Holy Spirit to keep me close to him. Why not have a look at the bible passages for yourself: Luke 24:36-48 (May 4th). Jesus came and stood among them, although the doors were locked. So was he a ghost? No, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to eat a piece of fish. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. We’ve got the same scriptures here today, and we too can have our minds opened by inviting him to come in and show us. If we do, then his word can become “a light to our feet and a lamp for our paths”. Do we take care to read and to ask him to open our minds? John 10:11-18 (May 11th). “I am the good shepherd,” says Jesus. A shepherd looks after the sheep, guiding them to safe pasture and keeping them safe from wild animals. The same way, we can know his guidance in our lives and he can keep us safe from those who are out to get us. In fact, he will give his own life for us, more than any ordinary shepherd would do for sheep. Do we listen to his voice, as v16 says? John 15:1-8 (May 18th). “I am the true vine, you are the branches,” says Jesus. Just the way that the branches are fed by the sap which flows from the roots up the vine, so we can be given strength by his power flowing into us. So Jesus not only gives us guidance which we can take or leave, but inner strength to do what he says - if we want. Do we “remain in him” as v4 says? John 15:9-17 (May 25th). Although we may not have Jesus in the flesh, we do have Jesus’ other followers around us. So he gives us this ‘new commandment’ - “Love each other as I have loved you” (v12, and John 13:34). He can encourage us and guide us through others - that’s why it’s important for us to keep coming to church and meeting other Christians in such settings as housegroups and fellowship meetings. Do we take care to love each other and “not give up meeting together” as Hebrews 10:25 asks us? I need all these - and you do too! John Hartley
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