I’m Going on a Journey

It’s not every week that the sermon begins with a game, but this is one of those weeks. So let the mandatory fun begin!

Have you heard of the game “I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing…”? The object is to work out the pattern connecting all the correct responses. Right now, I’m the only one who knows, but I’ll give you a hint: it has something to do with spelling. I’ll start with three examples: I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing a protective lightweight coat. I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing a portable liquid container. I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing a piece of lemon cake.

Are you catching on? If you think you know how the items are related, tell me what you’re bringing on the journey, and I’ll tell you if you can come.

[Take responses, and if necessary, give additional examples:

I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing a pair of leather clogs.

I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing a pink lawn chair.

I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing Pope Leo’s chaplain.

I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing a pesky little chicken.]

I’m going on a journey, and I’m bringing PLC– which can also stand for Peace Lutheran Church, of course. And here, the fun and games give way to the sermon proper: To be Peace Lutheran Church is to be on our way together, and for each of us to have something to offer.

We tend to think of the church as a destination, a gathering place for sinner-saints. And Jesus certainly promises to carve out space for us now and in the time to come:

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.

There is room for everyone in God’s house.

But Jesus also envisions our life together as a journey: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” For now, let’s set aside the ways this verse has been wielded harmfully against non-Christians, and focus instead on the power of Jesus’ image: I am the way, that is, I am the path, the process of discovery; I am the truth– the unfolding message, the hard-won wisdom; I am the life – the string of moments and seasons and decades spent in relationship with God and the neighbor.

It’s no coincidence that the early followers of Jesus were called “people of the Way.” For centuries, Christians understood the faith not as a system of beliefs, but a spiritual path. Theirs was the way of faith in the face of uncertainty, the way of hope in the face of despair, the way of love in the face of fear.

And so is ours. To partake in the Jesus movement today is to set out on a journey, step by step becoming more fully the person God intends you to be, and always in the company of your fellow travelers. In the end, the church is not a destination, but a fellowship of pilgrims; we don’t share a place so much as a pathway, a long and winding road we travel side by side.

Some days, being found among the people of the Way will feel like a celebration. I hope this is one of those days for you, new members of Peace. In a few moments, you’ll make a commitment to continue along the path with us, and we’ll bless you, take your picture, and enjoy treats together after worship.

But other days, the way will feel like a slog, a struggle to put one foot in front of the other. Jesus never promises that the path of discipleship will steer clear of trouble, only that he’ll travel it with you: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”

To be Christian doesn’t mean to live a carefree life. On the contrary, the way of Jesus contends with the most difficult questions about the world and your place in it, demanding that you bear the burdens of others, and share your burdens, too. The path will not always be clear, and there will be stretches where hope is hard to come by.

Nevertheless, the promise is that the way will finally lead to the “Father’s house,” that is, to the fullness of God’s presence in the company of God’s beloved from every time and place. Until then, let me invite you to claim your place here, among this pilgrim people– Peace Lutheran Church– and bear in mind what you have to offer. We’re going on a journey together, friends, and we’re bringing our many and various gifts; we’re “walking the way, [with] Christ in the center telling the story to open our eyes; breaking our bread, giving us glory: Jesus our blessing, our constant surprise. Jesus is risen and we shall arise. Give God the glory! Alleluia!”[1]

[1] Herbert F. Brokering, “Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen,” Evangelical Lutheran Worship #377.