John 16:23-33

            {Prayer}

            One of the popular trends today is coloring Bibles. These Bibles will have special pages within them, with familiar verses or pictures of a passage, that one can color. Some Bibles will have space on the side for journalling but will also have a picture or some words that go with something on that page.

            Now, while it may seem sacra-religious to be coloring in your Bible … artwork within Bibles is nothing new. Have you ever heard of or seen something called an illuminated manuscript?

            You see, back before the printing press in the 1500’s, scribes would copy the Scriptures by hand. When Bibles would wear out, scribes would tediously copy word for word the entire Bible. Then after the text was complete, artists would come and fill in the margins with colorful images like birds, flowers, acorns, and branches. Sometimes, the images were symbolic. Sometimes they were connected to a particular text. And other times, they were not.

            A favorite part among many of the illuminated manuscripts is the opening letter of a major section. Occasionally, the artists would draw that first letter larger than all the other letters on the page. Sometimes it would be about four or five lines tall. The artists would take this letter and fill in the empty space with an image.

            The New York Public Library has an illuminated liturgical text with a creative opening letter. Inside the opening letter of the sentence, you can see a unique picture of the Ascension of Jesus.

             Inside this letter is a world that is evenly divided between the earth and sky. Down on the earth, you have the disciples, looking up into the heavens. Up in the sky … you have Jesus. But only part of Him. You can only see Jesus’ feet.

            This is different than most paintings of the Ascension. In nearly all the paintings you have the full figure of Jesus and He is typically floating off the ground with His arms extended, giving His disciples His blessing. But here in this illuminated manuscript, you only have Jesus from the knees down.

            Then, in the very center of the image, in the dirt on the top of the mountain Jesus is ascending from … there are two little footprints. In studying this picture, I can’t help but wonder why? Why would the artist put in these footprints? There has to be a reason so what’s the significance of them?

            I feel the thoughts of one devotional author explains why very well. He says, “I love the contrast of the feet of Jesus entering into Heaven while His footprints are still in the world. Subsequently, the disciples are asked to hold two important truths together. First, Jesus has boldly and bodily entered into Heaven itself, to be seated at the right hand of the throne of God, and to rule over all things. Second, Jesus has left His footprints in this world for us to follow.” (Dr. Schmidt, 1517.org).

            So in this image, the disciples are being asked to follow the footsteps of Jesus in this world, all the while trusting He rules over all things in Heaven. So, while this picture is about the Ascension of Jesus … it visually captures what Jesus says in our gospel reading today.

            Let’s set the scene up for our Gospel reading.

            On the night He was betrayed, Jesus gathered with His disciples in the upper room. Jesus has already washed the disciples’ feet, predicted Peter’s threefold denial, promises them the coming of the Holy Spirit. Suffering and tribulation are about to strike these chosen followers as they will soon watch their Lord be betrayed, falsely arrested, tried, beaten, and then crucified.

The footsteps that Jesus leaves in this world will be marked with blood. His path leads through suffering and death, but also through redemption, resurrection, and victory.

            But before any of this happens … Jesus says to His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). These words of Jesus capture the tension of discipleship which will always be present. From the time of His disciples, to today, and to the time of His return.

            Here’s a question worth you and me to ponder, to chew on? … Whose footsteps are you following?

            It’s a question worth asking because there a lot of footsteps in this world. Some seem easier than others. Some promise success, comfort, pleasure, or even peace. But not all footsteps lead to life … some of them lead us away from Christ. They lead us down the well-worn paths of self-reliance, of bitterness, greed, or despair. Too often we follow the path of least resistance. Too often we follow the crowd, we go with the flow. Too often we carve out our own way and leave Jesus’ path behind.

            The truth is … we don’t always follow Jesus’ footsteps. And why? … Because they lead through suffering. They lead through dying to ourself. They are marked in blood. They call us trust, not in ourselves, but in the One we cannot see.

            But here’s the good news … even when we wander … Christ does not abandon us. His footprints aren’t just an example for you and me to imitate … they are the very path of salvation He has walked for us. They are the path through suffering, to the cross, out of the tomb, and up to into Heaven. And now … having overcome the world … Jesus calls us back to follow Him again. Follow Him, not alone, but with Him leading the way. Forgiving and guiding us each step of the way.

            This promise comes full circle in Jesus’ ascension, which the Church will remember this Thursday. Some churches will have a special service, others will not. For many in the world, the ascension is hidden away … much like the small image tucked inside a letter. It does not have all the cultural support of Christmas nor all the flowers and trumpets of Easter. If the weather is good, at some churches you might get a strawberry ice cream social. But … the hiddenness of the ascension is somehow fitting. The ascension is just a glimpse of something far great than we can ever understand. Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the Devil and now rules over all things.

            While you and I remain here on earth … we follow Christ’s footsteps in our daily lives. Jesus, however, … He has entered into heaven and rules over all things for our good. And the One who rules over all is the very One who has walked among us. He has experienced our suffering, endured our tribulations, suffered the punishment for sin, and conquered the power of the Devil. He knows how difficult such experiences can be and, so, He gives us this word. A word of hope, “Take heart, I have overcome the world.”     

            And maybe today, you don’t feel strong enough to walk in His steps. That’s okay. Jesus knows the weight of grief, confusion, and sorrow. He has walked this path before you. And when you can’t take another step, He promise not to leave you behind. Instead, He promises to carry you. His steps are sure, even when yours falter. And He walks with you, always.

            Jesus gives all of His disciples, not just those in that Upper Room, but all of us a word that carries us through suffering. It doesn’t take the suffering away. Jesus is honest with us, “In this world, you will have tribulation.” But He is also faithful. He rules over all things and promises to bring us through.

            As you look at an illuminated manuscript, you’re asked not just to adore the art work but to peer inside … to see a whole new world captured in one letter. That’s what Jesus invites you to do today. To look closely at one promise, to listen carefully to one word from Him, and to find your hope and courage there. He has walked the road of suffering and left His steps in the dirt so you would never walk alone. And now He calls you, step by step, to follow Him in faith, knowing He’s already overcome the world. Amen.

            The peace of God, that surpasses all human understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.