“Coming Out” (John 14:15-21)

Phrases and words can imply different things throughout time, history, and culture.  For example, the phrase “coming out” is one that has had different context throughout my life.  Growing up as a military brat I can remember when the officers on base would have an annual “coming out” ball for their daughters when they reached high school.  It was a time to introduce their daughter as young women to the world . . . a debutante ball.  I did notice these “coming out” balls in the newspaper as I got older, especially when I attended seminary in Kentucky . . . where they were a part of high society’s culture.  Though having an awareness of such things, these were not a big part of my life as I was neither related to an officer or high society.  Nope, I was a non-com kid and from the wrong side of the tracks.

Early in my life that is how I understood the phrase “coming out”, but as I got older the phrase took on a new meaning and understanding.  By my high school years, though not often talked out loud as much as it is today, the phrase meant sharing one’s sexuality with the world . . . especially when in reference to LGBTQ people.  Presently I think that it is safe to say that most people understand that phrase in relation to a person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

In either the root meaning in “coming out”—whether the debutante ball or the sharing of one’s sexuality or gender—is the fact that when a person comes out, he or she, is deciding to share an important part of who they are to others in their life.  They are revealing themselves for the whole world to see . . . understand . . . and, ultimately and hopefully accept.  Sharing an important part of themselves . . . that is what I want to focus on this morning because that is what I think Jesus is conveying to his disciples in our scripture reading.  He is telling them that the time has come for them to “come out”.

Now remember, this reading comes in that part of the story in the Gospel of John where Jesus has finished his last meal with the disciples prior to the whole arrest, trial, and crucifixion.  He is giving the disciples and those gathered last minute instructions.  He is attempting to get them to understand that it will soon be their responsibility to pick up where he has left off.  It will be their job to keep the ball rolling.  No longer will he be the one representing the movement . . . though central to the cause, he will no longer be the one standing before the people calling them to do the work that he has set before them.  The time has come for them to step up and do.

Jesus tells his disciples: “If you love me, keep my commands.”  Here Jesus is telling his disciples to move beyond learning and to move into practice . . . to do as he has done, to love as he has loved.  The time has come for the disciples to step up and out into the world declaring the message of love . . . love of God and love of others.  Simply put, Jesus is telling his disciples that the time has come to put up or shut up.   Whatever the case, Jesus wants them to come out . . . to come out and share themselves for who they are . . . they are the followers of Jesus, keepers of the “way”.  And, for Jesus, it is important that his disciples do this . . . to accept who they are and whose they are.

That is a pretty tall order no matter who you are or what important part of yourself you are revealing and sharing.  It is scary . . . scary because none of us ever really know how someone else is going to receive this information and revelation.  It is difficult to share who we are with others because there is always the risk that it will be rejected, ridiculed, and even persecuted.  None of us wants that . . . so, it is often hard to come out.  Especially as we look around the world and see how people are treated when they are perceived to be different.

Jesus is asking the disciples to step up, come out, and be who they are.  They are the followers of Jesus, the followers of his way.  In their hearts they know this, with their lips they have proclaimed it to Jesus, but now Jesus is asking them to reveal it to the rest of the world.  It is a world that did not take kindly to Jesus, his teachings, or ways of doing things.  Nope, they saw him get crucified.  This “coming out” request by Jesus is not something the disciples are sure about . . . not sure they are willing to take the risk.  And, as we see from this point on, it takes a little time before this request makes sense to them . . . before they step out and reveal themselves to the world.

And, Jesus knows that this won’t be easy.  Because of this Jesus offers them an advocate . . . someone or something that will help them as their constant companion.  Jesus tells them that they will receive the “Spirit of truth”.  He tells them: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”  Jesus assures them that they will not be alone.  The Spirit . . . the Spirit of truth . . . will be with them.  It is not something that the world nor they can see, but it is something that is within them.  It is that spark of knowledge . . . of understanding . . . of feeling that holiness within that bursts forth into a roaring fire.  It is what reveals God’s presence, message, and desires . . . what pushes for action and honesty with one’s self about who God create him or her to be.  It is what gives us the strength to reveal ourselves as we have been created to be, as we have chosen to be . . . we are the followers of Jesus, thus we love God and others as God has loved us.

With the Advocate’s presence within us . . . with our “coming out” as the followers of Jesus . . . we are not alone.  Through us the “way” is revealed . . . Jesus lives, his words and actions are seen through us in the world around us.  When we came up from the waters of baptism, we revealed to those faithful gathered that we were God’s . . . we came out to our brothers and sisters that we are the followers of Jesus.  That was fine and dandy, but now we are called to “come out” to the world . . . to let them know.  Until we can step out publicly and show the world through our actions that we are followers of Jesus, we have yet to come to accept who we are as the children of God.  We must be who God created us to be . . . we can be nothing less. 

Again, opening up to the world about who we are . . . whether it is about our faith, sexuality, gender, or the core of who God created us to be . . . it is scary business.  Yet, we need to remember.  We are not alone.  We have support . . . we have the Spirit, the Spirit of truth.  The Spirit will not let us down, nor will it ever abandon us.  Thus, we are to “come out” and be who we are to do the business of God.  Through us the “way” continues.  We need to embrace the Spirit within . . . listen to what it saying to us . . . and go where it is leading.  It is leading us out in the world to be the representatives of Jesus . . . and, ultimately God.  Again, Jesus reassures the disciples and us with his words: “Whoever has my commands and keep them is the one who loves me.  The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

No matter what, we will not be alone.

In the greatest sense of the phrase, I encourage all of us to “come out”.  Come out and share with the world the most important part of ourselves . . . our love for God and others as revealed to us through Jesus.  Let us not be fearful of our call to be a follower of Jesus . . . to love.  Though others may not understand . . . may not care . . . and may even persecute us, let us be true to ourselves as the children of God.

For several weeks now during this Easter season we have heard the good news of God . . . there is hope . . . we are not alone.  Now let us hear the challenge to come out and embrace who and whose we are.  Let us come out and be the followers of Jesus we believe ourselves to be.  Amen.

Phrases and words can imply different things throughout time, history, and culture.  For example, the phrase “coming out” is one that has had different context throughout my life.  Growing up as a military brat I can remember when the officers on base would have an annual “coming out” ball for their daughters when they reached high school.  It was a time to introduce their daughter as young women to the world . . . a debutante ball.  I did notice these “coming out” balls in the newspaper as I got older, especially when I attended seminary in Kentucky . . . where they were a part of high society’s culture.  Though having an awareness of such things, these were not a big part of my life as I was neither related to an officer or high society.  Nope, I was a non-com kid and from the wrong side of the tracks.

Early in my life that is how I understood the phrase “coming out”, but as I got older the phrase took on a new meaning and understanding.  By my high school years, though not often talked out loud as much as it is today, the phrase meant sharing one’s sexuality with the world . . . especially when in reference to LGBTQ people.  Presently I think that it is safe to say that most people understand that phrase in relation to a person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

In either the root meaning in “coming out”—whether the debutante ball or the sharing of one’s sexuality or gender—is the fact that when a person comes out, he or she, is deciding to share an important part of who they are to others in their life.  They are revealing themselves for the whole world to see . . . understand . . . and, ultimately and hopefully accept.  Sharing an important part of themselves . . . that is what I want to focus on this morning because that is what I think Jesus is conveying to his disciples in our scripture reading.  He is telling them that the time has come for them to “come out”.

Now remember, this reading comes in that part of the story in the Gospel of John where Jesus has finished his last meal with the disciples prior to the whole arrest, trial, and crucifixion.  He is giving the disciples and those gathered last minute instructions.  He is attempting to get them to understand that it will soon be their responsibility to pick up where he has left off.  It will be their job to keep the ball rolling.  No longer will he be the one representing the movement . . . though central to the cause, he will no longer be the one standing before the people calling them to do the work that he has set before them.  The time has come for them to step up and do.

Jesus tells his disciples: “If you love me, keep my commands.”  Here Jesus is telling his disciples to move beyond learning and to move into practice . . . to do as he has done, to love as he has loved.  The time has come for the disciples to step up and out into the world declaring the message of love . . . love of God and love of others.  Simply put, Jesus is telling his disciples that the time has come to put up or shut up.   Whatever the case, Jesus wants them to come out . . . to come out and share themselves for who they are . . . they are the followers of Jesus, keepers of the “way”.  And, for Jesus, it is important that his disciples do this . . . to accept who they are and whose they are.

That is a pretty tall order no matter who you are or what important part of yourself you are revealing and sharing.  It is scary . . . scary because none of us ever really know how someone else is going to receive this information and revelation.  It is difficult to share who we are with others because there is always the risk that it will be rejected, ridiculed, and even persecuted.  None of us wants that . . . so, it is often hard to come out.  Especially as we look around the world and see how people are treated when they are perceived to be different.

Jesus is asking the disciples to step up, come out, and be who they are.  They are the followers of Jesus, the followers of his way.  In their hearts they know this, with their lips they have proclaimed it to Jesus, but now Jesus is asking them to reveal it to the rest of the world.  It is a world that did not take kindly to Jesus, his teachings, or ways of doing things.  Nope, they saw him get crucified.  This “coming out” request by Jesus is not something the disciples are sure about . . . not sure they are willing to take the risk.  And, as we see from this point on, it takes a little time before this request makes sense to them . . . before they step out and reveal themselves to the world.

 

And, Jesus knows that this won’t be easy.  Because of this Jesus offers them an advocate . . . someone or something that will help them as their constant companion.  Jesus tells them that they will receive the “Spirit of truth”.  He tells them: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”  Jesus assures them that they will not be alone.  The Spirit . . . the Spirit of truth . . . will be with them.  It is not something that the world nor they can see, but it is something that is within them.  It is that spark of knowledge . . . of understanding . . . of feeling that holiness within that bursts forth into a roaring fire.  It is what reveals God’s presence, message, and desires . . . what pushes for action and honesty with one’s self about who God create him or her to be.  It is what gives us the strength to reveal ourselves as we have been created to be, as we have chosen to be . . . we are the followers of Jesus, thus we love God and others as God has loved us.

With the Advocate’s presence within us . . . with our “coming out” as the followers of Jesus . . . we are not alone.  Through us the “way” is revealed . . . Jesus lives, his words and actions are seen through us in the world around us.  When we came up from the waters of baptism, we revealed to those faithful gathered that we were God’s . . . we came out to our brothers and sisters that we are the followers of Jesus.  That was fine and dandy, but now we are called to “come out” to the world . . . to let them know.  Until we can step out publicly and show the world through our actions that we are followers of Jesus, we have yet to come to accept who we are as the children of God.  We must be who God created us to be . . . we can be nothing less. 

Again, opening up to the world about who we are . . . whether it is about our faith, sexuality, gender, or the core of who God created us to be . . . it is scary business.  Yet, we need to remember.  We are not alone.  We have support . . . we have the Spirit, the Spirit of truth.  The Spirit will not let us down, nor will it ever abandon us.  Thus, we are to “come out” and be who we are to do the business of God.  Through us the “way” continues.  We need to embrace the Spirit within . . . listen to what it saying to us . . . and go where it is leading.  It is leading us out in the world to be the representatives of Jesus . . . and, ultimately God.  Again, Jesus reassures the disciples and us with his words: “Whoever has my commands and keep them is the one who loves me.  The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

No matter what, we will not be alone.

In the greatest sense of the phrase, I encourage all of us to “come out”.  Come out and share with the world the most important part of ourselves . . . our love for God and others as revealed to us through Jesus.  Let us not be fearful of our call to be a follower of Jesus . . . to love.  Though others may not understand . . . may not care . . . and may even persecute us, let us be true to ourselves as the children of God.

For several weeks now during this Easter season we have heard the good news of God . . . there is hope . . . we are not alone.  Now let us hear the challenge to come out and embrace who and whose we are.  Let us come out and be the followers of Jesus we believe ourselves to be.  Amen.