Springtime always bring new growth and change, and for me, also new hope. The deadness of winter gives way to flowers, new leaves and green grass. Even the dandelions are okay, at least for awhile. And when they get tiresome, I use them to practice my golf swing. I've also discovered a great spray that makes them quickly disappear.

         Spring is the beginning in the new growth cycle. It's also time for weddings, and a sure sign of spring is graduation. Whether it's the ceremony of leaving High School, or of college, or even of kindergarten, there's something grand about our human tradition of holding graduations. It signals the accomplishment of one set of goals, and a big step forward in life. Graduation is always the signal that it's time to move on in life.

         In our text, it was time for the Disciples to graduate, to move on in their lives. Rabbi Jesus had taught them the best He could. They had followed Him nearly 4 years, and though they knew He would not be with them forever, somehow they weren't quite ready to let Him go. Like people sometimes do, they didn't really believe it would happen, until it finally did.

         It had been 40 days since His resurrection. They had listened to His every word, and still they were asking Him questions that must have made Him wonder if He'd taught them anything. "Is it time now, Lord?" they asked. "Will You finally restore the kingdom of Israel? Will You crush Your enemies now, Lord?" Before when they had asked about this, Jesus had corrected them, even scolded them. Now He just deflected their question and concentrated on what was to come. He said, "It's not for you to know the time. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

         It was time for them to move on in life. For four years, they had learned from Him. They had grown in their faith. They had seen Him do miracles, including His suffering and death, as well as His resurrection. He had been the center of their life, and now He was ready to let them go, to be on their own, so they could move on in life. And that could only happen if He left them.

         Letting go is not easy. Whether it's letting go of someone lying in a casket, or letting go of a treasured possession, or letting go of our childhood, we humans hang on to what we value. But we can't live in the past. We can remember it, but we must ever move on in life.

         A man and wife joined a supper club of ten couples that met monthly, each couple hosting an elaborate meal. One month the chosen wife decided to make steak smothered in mushrooms. But knowing the expense, she sent her husband out to find mushrooms along the riverbank. "But they might be poisonous," he said. Said she, "Don't worry - I'll make sure they're okay." So he brought back lots of mushrooms, which she cooked up nicely, and to make sure, fed a batch to their dog, Ol' Spot. He loved them, so she was sure they were safe. That night everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal until the little son came in and said, "Mom, Ol' Spot's dead!" The woman panicked and called the paramedics who came and pumped everyone's stomach. It was a terrible night - the wonderful meal had become a nightmare. Especially later when their little son said later, "You know, Mom, that guy that ran over Ol' Spot never even slowed down!"

         Well, I guess there is some moving on in life that should be thought through more carefully. Jesus had to leave His disciples so they could do the work they'd come for. You remember His words: "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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

         But to do this, Jesus would have to leave them. So long as He was there, they'd have depended on Him too much. If Jesus hadn't left them, they'd have continued to let Him do all those things - including even mowing the hay and shoveling rocks off the path.

         The disciples were to be witnesses to God's love and mercy. They were to show the love of God to all they met. They were to share what they knew about God, and encourage others. They were to tell what they believed about Jesus, truthfully and simply, and let the Holy Spirit change people. You and I don't convert anyone. Our most persuasive preaching and teaching doesn't make even one single Christian. That's the Holy Spirit's work. He turns the hearts of people to God. He forgives sinners and makes them acceptable to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

         For the past eight years I've been printing out my sermons here each week, and many of you have told me how you read them, or give them to others, and how meaningful they often are. But it's doubtful your new pastor will print his weekly sermons. Maybe now is the time for you to move past those printed pages and start telling others what Jesus means to you. Maybe it's time for you to be the sermon. You will be richly blessed if you do.
nbsp;        For the past eight years I've been calling you by name as you knelt at the altar to receive Holy communion. And you've told me how good it is to hear your name spoken as you received Christ's true body and blood. But it's doubtful your new pastor will do this, even after he gets to know all your names. Maybe now is the time to start calling each other by name, to reach out and meet some new folks in your church, to learn the names of more members, not just those few in your service. Maybe now's the time for you to call them by name. You will be richly blessed if you do.
nbsp;        For the past eight years I've talked to your little ones up front, telling them about Christ's love. And adults have said how meaningful it is to hear the Children's Message, which is for children of all ages. Years ago we were told to use language simple enough that even the most educated adult can understand. Maybe now is the time for you, each one of you, to begin sharing your faith using that same kind of language. Share Jesus with people of all ages, especially little ones who can never hear enough that God loves them. You will be richly blessed if you do.

         Do you understand what I am saying? We need to move on in life, to go our separate ways and to grow in our faith. We need to let God give us the words to say. Jesus will be with us always, to the end of the world. He has brought us together, and He will keep on uniting us in heart and soul, no matter where we are or whom we meet.

         When Jesus left, the disciples were perplexed and not a little scared when they realized they were on their own. Of course, they were not "on their own," for God the Son and God the Holy Spirit stayed with them always. The Bible says they went back to Jerusalem where they met together, worked together, prayed together and loved each other. The Holy Spirit filled them with power to do His work, starting where they lived and moving out into the world. But Jesus had to leave. As long as Jesus was with them, they would not grow. It was only when He left that they could grow in their faith. I hope you all can see the comparison here at Epiphany.

         Letting go is a time of mixed emotions. I recall being proud but also nervous when I sent each of my boys away to college. Leaving them at their college dorm that first time was a moment of sadness. But only by leaving home could they grow into men. Wise parents don't raise their children to be dependant on them, but to trust in God and to depend on their own personal strengths.

         In some respects, June 3 will be a graduation, for me and for all people of Epiphany. Epiphany Church was put here by the Lord. He has a plan to make it what it is. God chose each of us to come here. And if you stay and grow in faith and service, God will bless you. But you will need to keep coming back to receive His blessings. Now is not the time to sit back and do nothing as you await the new guy. Now is the time to step up to the plate, and to keep the mission moving.

         In Matthew 28, as Jesus was ready to ascend into heaven, the Bible says some of His followers doubted Him. Even seeing Jesus in person wasn't enough! His stories and miracles weren't enough. Even His resurrection wasn't enough. But the Gospel writers didn't dwell on those who left Him, but on those who stayed. Doubters will always be with us. There will always be the faint-hearted. But the strong-hearted remain. The faithful don't turn away. The forgiven person stands firm on the promises of God, and does not waver. I pray you will all be among the faithful and the forgiven.

         As the disciples stared into the sky, the angels said, "What are you standing around for Jesus will come back, so get to work!" Jesus will return! He is coming back! And so we say in the creed, "He will come again in glory to judge both the living and dead." And all who are ready for Him with faith, will be blessed forever.

         Graduates, it's time! It's time to move on in life. The world awaits you. Parents, it's time to let them go, for only then can they grow. And Epiphany, it's time to move on. God will be with you as you go and as you grow. But to all of us, please know this, He will be with us. He has promised to be with us until the end of our earthly lives. As long as we trust Him, He will not fail us. He's with us now, and then comes heaven. But it won't come without our moving on.

         St. Paul once told the Thessalonians, "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

         May God bless us all as we move on in life. Amen!

Credits:
 
  Epiphany logo designed and provided by Dale Bargmann at daleb@ecentral.com