Acts 1:12-26; 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I always keep something longer if it was given to me by someone else. When people take the time to handwrite a note for me, I’m more inclined to hang onto it even after I’ve read it. As a parent and pastor, I also get pictures drawn for me by children that I’m compelled to hang onto just because of who gave it to me. I save them on a board in my office (pictured). When people give you something that they made specifically for you, I find I look at it more as a caretaker than as an owner of it.

We should see the same thing with the Church. As Christians, we’ve been given the church as caretakers of the great mysteries of God. It’s not exactly mine to do whatever I want with it, nor is it my sole responsibility to take care of it. Even more so, our own lives were given to us by God so that we should be more of caretakers than feel entitled as owners.

As Jesus departs the world in his ascension, he prays for his disciples and his church (i.e. us!). He tells us this simple truth that we belonged to the Father, and that the Father is the one who “gave us” to Jesus. As Jesus says, “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word,” John 17:6. Indeed, Jesus has valued us in his time among us on earth. He has cared for God’s people as the Eternal Son, even completing his work among us (John 17:4). 

For this is one area where we need not fret or worry ourselves unnecessarily. As Christians, we rightly care for the health and wellbeing of the Church and for the salvation of all people. When we see churches empty, buildings crumbling, doors closing permanently, we worry. The problem, however, is that people now believe we must “reinvent” the church to fix this issue. But the Church doesn’t belong to us. It is God’s and God’s alone. We are but caretakers.

There’s no doubt that Jesus knew these challenges and struggles we would face in our world. It’s literally why he prayed. “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours,” John 17:9. The world is full of temptations and dangers that seek to destroy Christ’s Church, to pull faith from your heart. This is why Christ’s ultimate care has been you. He went to the cross to die for you. He laid in the grave for three days for you. He rose from the dead in order to give you his victory! And he prays for you. He prays because he wants you to remain in his care. This is why he sends out the Apostles. This is why God continues calling pastors to serve his church. This is why the ministry of God’s word still echoes throughout the world! You were bought with the blood of Jesus. You belong to God… and he will not discard you now or evermore! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!