Sermonette - May 14, 2018

In the spring of 1971, I sat down to write my last will and testament— no, not that last will and testament. This was a silly little exercise that many graduating seniors did, in which they explained what they were leaving to their high school alma mater and the underclassmen left behind. These “wills” were mimeographed and stapled together and distributed through the school that last week of classes.

It’s been so long that I don’t remember everything I left to everyone, but I do remember a few things. I left my long, consecutive string of tardies to a particular class to anyone who would want to continue the string. I left my chair in band to the kid who had challenged me a thousand times and never unseated me. I left other things too, I’m sure. But I left, and I guess that was the point. I left.

It was pretty sappy. Some of those wills were funny, some were unintelligible, but for me, it was the first time I was asked to consider what I would leaving behind for those who followed me. My high school and all who labored there, I realized, had given me much. What would I leave in return? I wondered if the bar had been raised because of anything I had done and I wondered if there was a new standard in place because of something I had achieved. The sad reality was for either of these to be true was not likely..

I sometimes wonder if this might be a valuable exercise for each of us in the spring of each year. As we bring the Easter season to a close, we could pause for a moment to ask: What have I done this year? What have I created? What have I accomplished in the name of Jesus Christ that will serve the next generation? Are there things I have done that will live on after I’m gone? Will the evidence of my actions bear witness to God’s grace and love for those who need to hear it most? In other words, what kind of legacy am I building?

The assigned Gospel reading for Ascension Day this year is Luke 24:44-53 and it seems apparent to me that Jesus leaves four things as his legacy to his disciples.

First, he leaves his words. Jesus who had been with them for three years healing, teaching, preaching and forgiving reminds his disciples that a significant part of his legacy to them is his words. “These are my words,” he says as he begins to say his good-bye.

Second, he leaves them his understanding. In particular, he gives them his understanding of the scriptures. Third, he leaves them power from on high, which will be given to them shortly. In the book of Acts this will on be the day of Pentecost, when the power Jesus is speaking of descends upon the disciples like tongues of fire.

And fourth, he leaves them a blessing. We are not told exactly what the blessing was or how it was given, but it is enough to know that they were blessed by Jesus.

Jesus’ fourfold legacy, which he leaves them on the day of his ascension, equips them for ministry and mission in the world: his words, his understanding, the power of the Holy Spirit, and his personal blessing. Now this is a legacy that lasts forever. Glory be to God!