Newsletter – September 2009

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last.”  John 15:15-16 (NIV)

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

      Often we see the world failing to choose us.  Think about the children on the playground or in gym class choosing sides for kickball, soccer, or some other team sport.  There will always be one child chosen last because of his or her demonstrated lack of ability.  Perhaps you were that child growing up.  You could not hit a baseball, or shoot a basket, or run the fastest, or throw the ball accurately and you suffered the indignity of being the last one chosen.  Reality is, you were not chosen because you had to be taken by the last team.  Remember the groans from your team and the smiles of relief from the other team.

 

      Our Lord does not make choices like those made by the world.  He does not choose the best to be on his team.  No, Jesus chooses the worst to be on his team.  He does not look at what our personal strengths or abilities are.  Nor does he choose us because we want to be on His team.  No, Jesus chooses us because he is determined to make us his people- his friends.  Jesus chooses us to be workers in His kingdom.  John records this truth in the words from his Gospel account.  Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you ….”  What a relief that is.  Someone actually wants us.  Somebody actually chose us.  We are not grudgingly made a team mate.  We are joyfully chosen to participate with the rest of the team.

 

      Participation is the second part of the choosing.  Jesus has chosen us to be living and productive participants in His kingdom.  Like a tree in an orchard, we are expected to bear fruit.  Like a plant in a vegetable garden, we are expected to bear vegetables.  Like a flower in the field, we are expected to produce a bloom.  This is not a one time expectation which Jesus has for us.  No, this is a continual bearing of fruit.  This is a perpetual production of fruit.  This is a consistent way of life for the Christian.  We never stop the expectation which Jesus has for us.  We never retire from service to Jesus Christ.  Like Senator Kennedy who died recently still in office serving our nation, Christians die in office serving the Savior.

 

      What does this mean?  We are never too old or too young to participate in the work of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  There is never a time when we set aside our work for the Lord of Life and say “I’m too old to do this.”  There is never a time when we have learned all there is to know about the Word and Wisdom of God.  There is never a time when we can say we are not needed.  There is never a time when we can think someone else can take over now.  For, Jesus has called us to serve Him and continually bear fruit that lasts.

 

      Indeed, the fruit that lasts is the fruit of salvation, the fruit of the Gospel.  We are called to plant the seed of the Gospel in the world today.  The seed of the Gospel is needed in every generation, and that need continues in perpetuity.  Therefore, the need to continue to support the sowing of this seed continues.  It continues until Jesus returns, either at the time of our death or at the time of the consummation of the world.

 

      This is a call for self-examination, repentance and rejoicing.  Self-examination of our attitudes and participation in the work of the Gospel.  Repentance of our failure to be at work in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  Rejoicing in our special calling and revitalized service to our Lord.  May this same Jesus keep us fruitful friends and servants in His kingdom.

 

In Christ,

 

Rev. Robert Schneider

Our Saviour Lutheran Church

Evansville, Indiana