Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last…” (John 15:16)
Jesus’ call in our lives is to join with him in the work of loving the world. As much as we want to be in charge of our destiny and involvement in life, Jesus makes it clear that he has chosen his followers – we belong to Jesus.
In this excerpt from his farewell address to his disciples, Jesus is preparing them and encouraging them for the work ahead. He still has the arrest, trial and death on a cross ahead of him. The next few days will be difficult for him as well as for his followers.
But then the resurrection will happen and Jesus will overturn a lot of the things people expected after the cross. Death will lead to life. Disappointment will lead to amazement. A group that things it is over will get a new beginning. And that beginning will involve ministry – all of the followers being sent out to bear fruit.
This week we focus on the connections between music and liturgy and the mission God invites us into. We’ll include a video from an interview that Pastor Dave, Vicar Andrea and organist Matt Wahl (from Holy Trinity) did with a music writer named Rory Cooney who writes church music to inspire and motivate people to be transformed by the gospel and do the work of Christ in their lives. He wrote the much loved song, “Canticle of the Turning,” which inspires us to see God turning the world around as Jesus ushers in the Reign of God.
Our lives matter. They are the vehicles through which God works and through which God sends us to bear fruit for Jesus. Some days we may feel like we are just someone small who doesn’t make much difference. But Jesus tells us, as his followers we are all sent to bear fruit. Faithful following means we are all sent to continue the ministry of Jesus.
