Spare a thought for the Victorians. They were keen to portray Jesus as a calm and constant presence who presided above the turmoil of human activity. This is why in their artwork we often see Jesus as aloof and disinterested. With a ‘stiff upper lip’ Jesus was seen as rational rather than emotional. Ok, they may have granted the fact that Jesus possessed emotions, but that was different from being emotional. For them it was important to think of God as eternal – the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. ‘The same’ - those were the key words. Always the same. 

I know I’m going on about this but the subject works me up! The old view was that a rational person was predictable and hence dependable. An emotional person is just a step away from being a moody person. We all know how difficult it is to deal with a moody person. How on earth could we cope with a moody God! Just imagine our prayers starting with ‘Dear God, I hope you are in a good mood because…’.

Somewhere there is a flaw in the Victorian argument because in Jesus we see a God who is both dependable and emotional. These two great qualities come together powerfully at the end of the Easter season. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his dramatic departure. Soon they will no longer see him in the flesh. There will be no more meetings behind closed doors, walks along the road, encounters in gardens or seashore breakfasts. As we read our gospel reading let us allow ourselves to witness the high emotions: I will come to you…you will see me…Because I live, you also will live. This is not an easy farewell. How can we possibly not read between the lines and sense the passion and the love in the words? 

The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. The beauty of these words is that they are not just an emotional outburst. They are dependable. 

We are invited to know God through knowing Jesus. In getting to know Jesus we need to engage with him – with head and heart. The great minister, John Wesley, knew the Christian faith inside out but his moment of conversion came when according to his testimony ‘his heart was strangely warmed’. We need to loosen up to let him in.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

(Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.)