Alone but not abandoned

During the Covid-19 pandemic many are isolated. Some are not alone but feel alone. We've become more aware of our human interdependence. We need each other and need the reassurance that there is always someone who can be alongside to help.

The fear of being abandoned lies deep in us all. Jesus saw that fear in his friends as they struggled with the idea that Jesus was leaving them. The gospel reading for today the 6th Sunday of Easter, John 14: 15 - 21, takes us back to the night before Jesus died. The disciples’ world was falling apart. What started as a celebration meal became something disturbing. Judas had gone to betray Jesus. Jesus had warned Peter he would deny him. Jesus kept speaking of death and departing. Into that fearful atmosphere Jesus promised, “I will not leave you orphaned” and then promised, “I will come to you”. They wouldn’t be alone.

I once saw a documentary showing a bear with 2 new-born cubs. One cub died soon after birth. 3 weeks later the mother died. The remaining cub was alone, isolated and vulnerable. If ever a bear cub needed help it was then. Help came in the form of a male bear. The cub cowered at his massive size. The adult male gave the cub a friendly nudge. The cub trailed after him, learning how to be a bear, how to grub for insects, catch fish and scratch his back against a tree. One day the 2 got separated. The cub looked frantically for his new father, but couldn't see him. He went to the stream where he'd learned to fish - then looked up and saw a mountain lion ready to pounce. That lion had stalked the cub a long time but wouldn’t grab it while the big bear was around. Now the cub seemed alone.

The camera zoomed in as the cub imitated his adoptive father’s posture when threatened - stood on his hind legs - bared his teeth and attempted a growl. Only a tiny squeak came out. Astonishingly, the mountain lion ran away. The camera panned back to the cub still standing on his hind legs. Then the TV viewers saw what the cub hadn't. Near-by, at full height, stood ‘Daddy’ bear. He was silent, but he was there. Although the cub couldn't see it, he wasn’t alone, his father was protecting him. The cub had a greater power available than anything he could produce alone. Although it looked and felt as if he were alone, the cub wasn't abandoned.

When Jesus told his disciples he was leaving them he promised the Holy Spirit. The word used is ‘paraclete’, which has no English equivalent. The NRSV translates it, ‘advocate’ and the NIV ‘counsellor’ - both law court images - someone to represent and support, to stand with us at our point of need, to be alongside to help.

The Spirit knows when we need extra strength or courage. The Spirit helps us out of the mud when we've fallen flat on our faces. The Spirit speaks for us when words fail. The Spirit encourages. We are not left alone. And there’s more. In the new relationship Jesus offers his friends, Jesus promised more than being alongside them by his Spirit as companion helper and advocate. Jesus promised he would be within them, an indwelling presence.

And that same promise is for all Jesus' followers. Jesus said,

“I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”

Yes, Jesus was returning to the Father. The miraculous resurrection appearances ended at the ascension. But, far from being deprived of Jesus’ presence, Jesus would be with them in a new way. It’s the change from outer contact, ‘as the world sees’, to inner believing, knowing God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, “in the heart”.

We mostly don’t feel God’s presence all the time. The baby bear in that documentary felt abandoned, but help was there. However alone you feel, however weak, that doesn't mean the Spirit isn't with you. That doesn't mean you’re not loved by God. You may feel isolated and vulnerable, but God is with you, even when you don’t know what to do and all you can see ahead is that hungry mountain lion.

Jesus promised, "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”