Wild love, wild expectations, wild mission!

Jane Denniston April 27, 2024 5 2

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Matthew 28: 16-20 (NRSVA)

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

There’s an irony in this last command Jesus gives the disciples. Teaching the world to obey his commands is teaching us to be wild, to rebel against authorities who seek to oppress and subjugate, to break rules which favour the powerful. Jesus tells us that these are the most important commandments:  “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength…' And the second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself'” (see Mark 12: 29-31). The law of love, so contrary to the way of the world, so subversive of its standards and customs. So unpopular in Jesus’ day that it got him crucified.

This is the gospel we are given to preach – wild, untameable, unfathomable love which reaches out to all who are ignored, overlooked, disregarded. To take the law of love and teach it to all who cross our path. To be rebellious in the cause of the Kingdom of Heaven so that mercy and justice will prevail and love will flourish.

Prayer:

God our Father, we know that not all who hear, believe,

but how will they believe who have not heard?

Help us to take the good news of your wild love

into our world,

into our land,

into our communities.

To our friends,

to our neighbours,

to those we don’t yet know.

May we witness to you in word and deed.

May our actions speak as loudly as our words,

may our lives witness as clearly as our protestations,

as we live and love in your name.

Thank you that we are empowered

to be your hands,

caring in witness to your compassion,

to be your feet,

carrying the good news to neighbours and strangers,

to be your voice,

speaking words of hope and salvation.

Help us to play our faithful part

in witnessing to you, Amen