What would the disciples ever do without Jesus?

Our son, Benjamin, was involved in Challenger League Baseball in Waco, Texas. This organization includes local sponsoring businesses as well as a small army of caring volunteers.

Benjamin has Down syndrome. The Challenger League is dedicated to such children. All of them have some form of physical and/or developmental challenge.

It is a non-competitive league. This means that an adult would loft a slow underhand pitch to every batter; they would do so in a patient manner, repeatedly tossing the extra cushy ball until there was a hit.

Eventually every softball would find its way onto the field of play. The batter would then decide how many bases to run or use their wheel chair to reach. So, if the base paths were clear, they could easily hit a home run while the crowd cheered them on.

Each player on the field is assigned an adult helper. When there was a hit, other volunteers would send additional balls out onto the field. This assured that everyone participated.

There was a player on Benjamin’s team named Dax. He was the coach’s son. When Dax learned that Benjamin was moving away to Moses Lake, he said: “Dad, what are we going to do now? Ben is our best hitter.”

Dax could never imagine the team without Benjamin. I’m sure that he eventually learned that they would be just fine. Other players would step up and hit those home runs.

In the Gospel of John, chapter 14, there is something called the “farewell discourse.” This was given by Jesus to the disciples the night before his death. Jesus tells them that this will not be the end of things. After his resurrection and eventual departure good things would still happen.

The disciples did not understand. How could this be? They questioned him; first Peter, then Thomas, Phillip, and finally Judas (not Iscariot).

They could not imagine being without Jesus, but it took his physical departure for them to grow and gain confidence in their faith.

God’s presence in the form of the Holy Spirit would soon enter into the picture – also called the Paraclete, meaning “called along side.” So, the disciples were not abandoned.

They grew by telling others the story, and serving each other, as Jesus had instructed them to do. They blossomed beautifully.

May we experience the same in days of questioning and uncertainty.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 25 years.