Part 3: NURC Blog for Sunday 28th June 2020

“Jesus ‘sent out’ the disciples. This week’s Gospel reading is about what happens when they arrive!

What do you expect to happen when you arrive at someone’s front door? Will you have to take off your shoes, or wipe them on a mat? Perhaps you have a gift to give the host – how will it be received? How do those various actions make you feel? How do you feel if they don’t happen? Now, with the boot on the other foot, what if you are giving the welcome? If you are the person opening the door – what do you do or say? Do you take their coat, or offer a drink? Does it depend on who is at the door? Who might it be hard to welcome in?”
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In the current climate we are not able to fulfil the instructions given here, we are all having to find other ways of discipleship – and until that time when we can worship together it is absolutely vital that we stay strong in our faith, that we are kind and generous of spirit. We don’t need a building to do Gods work, but I do look forward to the day when we can worship together.

​“Jesus stresses the importance of ‘going out’, of interacting with others. He refers to ‘whoever welcomes you’ – and that leaves room for those who don’t! In what sense do we ‘go in the name of Jesus’? Is Jesus reflected in us, in our words and actions, or do we need specifically to say who we are? A country’s new ambassador, meeting the Queen for the first time, will always offer her their ‘credentials’ – assuring her that she can trust them to speak on behalf of those who sent them. What credentials can we offer to show that we are sent by Jesus?”

I think all of us have the credentials we just have to be patient we will worship together again but in the meantime let’s continue to be our Lords disciples. Jesus says “whoever welcomes you” at this time that’s not in a place of worship but we mast welcome all into our hearts, interacting with others with all the tools at our disposal.

Singing off for now, I will complete a single Blog in July.

Spirit of fire, warm us with your
everlasting love
Spirit of fire, warm us with your everlasting love.
Spirit of wind, blow away hurtful words that
damage relationships.
Spirit of earthquake, carry away our fears.
Spirit of breeze, restore our peace with your
calming breath.
Spirit of the living God, speak to us in words
we can understand.
Amen.

​Go in the name of Jesus,

Go in the name of Jesus,
to follow the way of Jesus,
to love with the love of Jesus,
and to be sustained by the peace of Jesus.
Amen.

Source: © ROOTS for Churches Ltd. Reproduced with permission.