First words are an important introduction to a character in a book or movie. A character’s first words often point to their purpose or core traits. In our Focus Text this week we hear the first words of Jesus in the Gospel of John: “What are you looking for?” Jesus is asking the would-be disciples what they are seeking from life, not offering to help them find the last item on their grocery list. His first words show us that he will help the disciples find their own purpose, a first-hand experience of God’s AGAPe Love, a true sense of belonging in a community, and all they have been looking for.

As we mark the Day of Pentecost we are reminded of how the Holy Spirit equips us with all sorts of 'languages' that can be used to share the impact of God's love on our lives. When we know the same ‘lingo’ of a shared interest, passion, or vocation, we have an established  connection that makes sharing God’s love easier. We can find belonging when we share a common lingo and in belonging we can discover God’s AGAPe love at work in those around us.

Using modern day scientific discovery our Focus Text seems like fantasy, Jesus ascending into the stratosphere like some kind of weather balloon. For the Gospel Writer, it wasn’t about the physics, what was more important is what the Ascension meant for people of faith. The Ascension is not about escaping the world, but rather a reminder that Christ’s work that began in Jerusalem now continues throughout the world. And we are here to embody the kingdom Jesus proclaimed as we create spaces of welcome, friendship, compassion, and community with AGAPe Love.

In our Focus Text Jesus sends out his followers to bring a message to those they meet: “The Kingdom of God has come near!” He also tells instructs them on how to handle those who do not greet the meeting in peace. Don’t argue, or threaten, or harm them in order to convince them to welcome you and the message. Just move on and keep proclaiming the message. Their rejecting the meeting does not diminish the light of your presence or your peace or the power of the message.

Our culture tends to obsess over ‘proving our worth.’ Find success, your worth is proven. Make a notable contribution to society, you’ve proved your worth. Carrying on the family legacy, proof of worth. In our Focus Text this week, Jesus, as usual, is counter-cultural, your worth to God is not proven through what you’ve accomplished it is inherent in your identity as a child of God. The children and babies approaching Jesus have done nothing but seek out Jesus and God’s love and Jesus says “the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

As part of the human experience we can recognize the “lasts” of life. Sometimes we recognize it as a last in the moment, especially when it’s a Milestone marked like your last ‘fill-in-the-blank’ (Prom, Gymnastics Meet, Science Class) of High School. Sometimes we don’t realize that it was our last until it doesn’t happen again, like a last conversation with a loved one or the last clean bill of health before a cancer diagnosis. In our Focus Text this week, Jesus is preparing the disciples for the lasts that are coming up on what would be his last night with them before his death and resurrection. Jesus doesn’t tell them everything will be fine (because it won’t) but he encourages them to do the ‘next’ thing even in the midst of their grief. He also reassures them they will not be alone as they take that next step, the Holy Spirit will be with them for each new step they make in love.

It's unbelievable, until it's not! Jesus appearing in a locked room. God's AGAPe love for us when we don't deserve it (Grace). When we try to contain our beliefs in a box God surprises us by always making space for love among our doubts and fears.