“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.

“God’s Little Helper” (John 14:15-21)

Some times in life we all need a little help.  For many years I voluntarily worked for an organization in Nebraska that provided help to those individuals with disabilities.  The name of the organization was Citizen Advocacy and its purpose was to help people with disabilities to have lives that were independent just like everyone else.  The only problem is, they needed a little help.  Some needed help with medications . . . some with cooking meals . . . others with their finances, just to name a few of the areas in life where help was needed.  To provide this help Citizen Advocacy would recruit individuals—citizens—with strengths in those areas to advocate for these people.  It was a wonderful system that brought independence into the lives of these people.  After all, we all need a little help.

Now I want you to hear the word that I used . . . advocate . . . advocacy.  An advocate is a person who works for, argues for, supports a cause or a person.  An advocate provides a little help to assist the cause or person to succeed . . . to accomplish the goal.  In many translations of the Bible the Holy Spirit is often referred to as the “advocate” . . . ours, this morning, uses the descriptor of “counselor” . . . both work.  Both are helpers.

Knowing that he was going to be leaving Jesus attempts to reassure the disciples that he would not leave them alone . . . no, he would give to them a “helper” . . . he would give to them the Spirit.  I am not sure if this was too assuring for the disciples . . . after all, the Spirit is not something that any of us can embrace and hold tightly onto like cross or a chalice.  The Spirit has not shape or form . . . the Spirit is invisible and moves where it wants to . . . the Spirit cannot be seen . . . cannot be held . . . it is like the air that we breathe.  Yet, this is the best that Jesus can do . . . to offer to them the Spirit.

Yet, the Spirit is the key to it all.  The Spirit is the key that reveals the living Jesus . . . the resurrected Jesus . . . the Jesus who never abandons us.  It is the Spirit who makes the presence of the living Jesus and God known.

I am no Greek scholar, but the writer of John’s Gospel calls the Spirit parakletos . . . which means “advocate”.  It is a term for someone who is called to one’s side as a source of help.  Often this Spirit gets mistaken as one who will step up to the plate for the faithful before the throne of God to argue for God’s mercy, grace, and love.  But, this is wrong . . . this is wrong because God has already given the give of mercy, grace, and love through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  This is what creates genuine life for the faithful.  The Spirit is the advocate who brings truth of that love and life . . . the one who reminds us of that love and life . . . which makes faith possible.  The Spirit is our advocate . . . our counselor . . . our little helper.

I know what you are thinking . . . probably the same thing that the disciples were thinking, “Great! But it would be so much better if you gave us something we could hold onto . . . another person . . . a book . . . or even a website that we could refer to on our computers.  But, no!  You give us something that we cannot even see or touch!”  Which is true, but, the Spirit is there . . . always there . . . and, the way that we know it is because we can feel the Spirit.

Let me explain.

The Spirit is to advocate . . . to advocate the way of Jesus . . . to advocate the words of Jesus . . . the love and the grace . . . to advocate for Jesus.  Thus the Spirit is there to remind us of these things about Jesus.  Most often the Spirit—as the advocate—challenges us, makes us feel uncomfortable, frustrates us, prods us, and pushes us to remember Jesus and his life in our lives.

The Spirit is to be a counselor.  Counselors are individuals who help us to understand ourselves . . . help us to understand our lives . . . help us to hear the questions we need to answer in our lives . . . to point out directions to go.  Counselors do not make these decisions and choices for us; no, the counselor is just there to set the table and allow us to make the choices of what we are going to do next.  The counselor’s role is to help guide us through life.

Again, it would be wonderful if the advocate and the counselor—the Spirit—would just go ahead and make the choices and decisions for us.  But, they don’t and won’t.  Yet, the Spirit’s presence is with us . . . and, we feel that presence.

We feel the presence of the Spirit in our lives all of the time . . . the problem is we probably are not giving credit where credit is due.  For example, as most of you know, I commute to Billings to work at Montana State University Billings during the week.  That means that I make the daily drive down 212 to Laurel, take Interstate 90 on into Billings, get off at the 27^th Street exit, and haul myself down to the university.  It is not a popular drive for anyone as it often has a variety of drivers moving up and down it.  Some drivers who are slow, some who are fast . . . some who are texting . . . some who are just daydreaming.  It can be a frustrating drive.  Frustration can lead to words and gestures that are best left unsaid.  I know . . . I have done both.

I have spoken words about the heredity of those drivers who frustrate me.  I have used gestures wishing those drivers a “good day”.  Probably nothing that I would want to repeat from the pulpit this morning.  And, it never fails, the second that I speak those words or use those gestures . . . a sickly feeling comes over me.  I am ashamed of myself.  It is the Spirit at work.

Feeling like a heel, I think that those people don’t deserve such treatment from me . . . they probably come from a fine line of genetics . . . they don’t need obscene gestures wishing them a “good day” . . . I probably just made their day worse.  Besides, who knows what sort of day they are having . . . what things are going on in their lives.  And, then the topper: Jesus wouldn’t act that way. 

Have you ever had that feeling come over you after you said something or did something.  This is the Spirit at work.  We have all felt it.  It is just the Spirit reminding us the way and love of Jesus.  It is the Spirit helping us to walk with Jesus.

This is the “little helper” Jesus leaves for each of us.  This is the one who is there to challenge us . . . prod us . . . chide us . . . encourage us . . . support us . . . to make us think . . . as we attempt to live our lives in such a way that we are truly reflective of the living presence of Jesus.  The journey of faith—like life—is not easy . . . we all could use a little help from time to time to stay the course.  The Spirit will do this . . . Jesus promises this . . . we are not alone.  Through the Spirit we come to know the presence of Jesus and God in our lives.  Amen.