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“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:20
Jesus spoke the words above as a part of the Great Commission, the final words of the gospel of Matthew sending the disciples out to make disciples of all nations. These words guide the disciples in their many travels, through joy and miracles as well as persecutions and tribulations. Jesus’ promise is, of course, fulfilled in the coming of the Holy Spirit, who descends upon the disciples to give them the courage and power that they formerly lacked to carry out just this task.
Why am I telling you this as the summer begins, and we all look for a little relaxation and rest? Well, at one point, I was in a congregation who used to take the time at the beginning of each summer to bless and send the members out, knowing that many would travel far and wide over the course of their vacations. With these members, the congregation would send out “Flat Jesus,” a cut out picture of Jesus that you could color in, attach to a stick, and hold with you in selfies or pictures wherever you might travel.
Now, I’ll be sure to make some of these Flat Jesus cutouts available to you, but more important to us today is the message. Even when you find yourself far from home, in the great unknown or unfamiliar, Jesus promises to walk with you, to guide you, to work through you. That promise is fulfilled for you too, in the Holy Spirit who came upon you in your baptism.
It might feel silly to carry around a cutout picture of Jesus – but even if you don’t take a selfie with Flat Jesus, I hope you do feel the presence of Christ walking with you today and always. I hope you see the Spirit within you, empowering you to make a difference in the world. And I hope you will love your neighbor, even the strangers you meet along the way, just as much as Christ has loved you.
Blessings on the summer ahead!
Your co-worker in Christ,
Pastor Lauren Bruno
Jesus spoke the words above as a part of the Great Commission, the final words of the gospel of Matthew sending the disciples out to make disciples of all nations. These words guide the disciples in their many travels, through joy and miracles as well as persecutions and tribulations. Jesus’ promise is, of course, fulfilled in the coming of the Holy Spirit, who descends upon the disciples to give them the courage and power that they formerly lacked to carry out just this task.
Why am I telling you this as the summer begins, and we all look for a little relaxation and rest? Well, at one point, I was in a congregation who used to take the time at the beginning of each summer to bless and send the members out, knowing that many would travel far and wide over the course of their vacations. With these members, the congregation would send out “Flat Jesus,” a cut out picture of Jesus that you could color in, attach to a stick, and hold with you in selfies or pictures wherever you might travel.
Now, I’ll be sure to make some of these Flat Jesus cutouts available to you, but more important to us today is the message. Even when you find yourself far from home, in the great unknown or unfamiliar, Jesus promises to walk with you, to guide you, to work through you. That promise is fulfilled for you too, in the Holy Spirit who came upon you in your baptism.
It might feel silly to carry around a cutout picture of Jesus – but even if you don’t take a selfie with Flat Jesus, I hope you do feel the presence of Christ walking with you today and always. I hope you see the Spirit within you, empowering you to make a difference in the world. And I hope you will love your neighbor, even the strangers you meet along the way, just as much as Christ has loved you.
Blessings on the summer ahead!
Your co-worker in Christ,
Pastor Lauren Bruno
