The Legacy

6th Sunday of Easter

John 14:23-29

"The Legacy"

John 14:

23* Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

24* He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

25* “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you.

26* But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

27* Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

28* You heard me say to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.

29* And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe.

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen

For those of you who are younger than let us say around 52 years, the following might not have very much meaning, for those of you who are older than let’s say 52 years, you will understand very readily what I am saying and talking about. I can remember very clearly, the first TV that my father brought into our house. It was a Sylvania set with that white glow light around the picture tube which was to soften the glare. I can remember with great excitement, watching the first show, turning the dials and seeing the picture come alive for us. It was very exciting.

It was thrilling. Now we take watching television for granted, like it has been with us since the beginning of time.

One of the first favorite television shows that I was permitted to watch, and I mean permitted to watch, was a program entitled, "I remember Mama". My mother viewed this television thing as something that would not control her house or her children, so she decided which shows and how many shows we would be able to see each night. She always said that we could find better things to do that sit in front of that thing so she made sure we did. But one of the shows that I did watch and really enjoyed watching was, "I remember Mama". It was a show about a girl recalling the day of growing up. I can remember the first scene of the show always being in the big kitchen, with Mama there baking or cooking the food. Even though it was

in black and white always looked good enough to eat. This program always made me feel cozy and warm. It was a nice show, a show about families, about growing up in a time that was different than my time. It was a show about memories, a show about how a girl remembered her mama.

As I thought about that show, as I think about this mother’s day, as I relate all of this to the gospel lesson this morning, I wonder what kind of legacy you and I are leaving behind?

Jesus is talking about leaving a legacy of love behind for his disciples as he prepares to ascend into heaven. We celebrate the ascension this Thursday, May 17th.

I wonder what kind of memory you as mothers would like to leave behind for your children? Or what kinds of memories as children do you have of your mothers? What kind of legacy do we leave behind?

My mother passed away last year right before Christmas. I think the legacy she left behind for me was one of love, caring, and an attitude of not quitting. For she was the force behind me getting over my polio. The doctor always said he could to the operations to make my legs better, but if we weren’t willing to do the work afterwards, the exercises, then nothing would be accomplished. My mother was willing and she instilled in me the spirit of willingness. It hurt. It was difficult, but we did those exercises. I did get better from the polio.

That was her legacy to me.

There are a lot of legacy we can leave behind. Some people strive to leave vast estates of money, land and gold. Others have buildings built in their honor so that their name might live on and on.

Jesus is talking about the real legacy we can leave behind is love. The legacy of loving for one another as he says in the text: “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."