I have had undertakers say that to me too - not just as a pleasant parting, but with a meaning that is quite unmistakable.
A few years ago there was one of those cute little sayings, "Christians don't say, 'Goodbye,' only 'See you later!'" Have you heard that one? I know what it is saying - whatever happens, whether by death or the return of the Lord Jesus, we will meet again in heaven. And yet - "Goodbye" means "God be with you." That is a good way to part too - if we remember what it means. The French would say, "Adieu" - "to God." People really meant that once. It wasn't something that just slipped off the tongue and meant nothing.
Our little drama has portrayed Peter, John and Philip puzzling over the words of Jesus, "The Son of Man is going to be handled over to the power of men!" They didn't understand it - and were afraid to ask. But then they start arguing about which of them is the greatest. They are sure that, when he reveals himself publicly as the Messiah in Jerusalem, he will take the throne of David and they will be in key positions in his inner cabinet.
But, which one will have the first position? Peter is sure that, since he was the first to be called - along with Andrew his brother - that, since he made the affirmation, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," he must surely be the one.
John, of course - sometimes called "the beloved disciple" - who often sat near Jesus at meals, has always had his own secret ambition. In fact, his mother had nurtured this ambition and came one day to Jesus with a special request that her two sons - James and John - be granted the right to be on his right and left in his Kingdom. Now - there were two people on either side of Jesus when he died on the cross, but they didn't understand that part and that wasn't what they meant!
Philip comes into the debate too. He has had no special claim to fame, but thinks that, with Jesus, this will be to his advantage. He too has felt the pull of ambition.
But Jesus cuts across the whole argument. He takes a child and stands him by his side. Picture this - here is Jesus and his hand is on a young child alongside him. "Whoever welcomes this child in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, also welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the greatest."
That cut across all their ambitions. Can't you just imagine the great stampede of disciples for that top position? I have always wanted to be Prime Minister so that I can receive the lowest pay and sweep the floors of Parliament House. I have always wanted to be school captain so that I can go around the school grounds and pick up the papers every day. Oh - but that wasn't exactly what you had in mind? It wasn't what the disciples had in mind either! They couldn't see that the Messiah, the promised one that the Jews had been expecting for all these years, was going to be handed over to the power of men and put to death on a Roman cross.
They didn't understand that because they didn't understand themselves. They hadn't grasped the seriousness of human sin. They didn't grasp that the Messiah would die on a cross for them - as Isaiah put it, that he would be wounded because of their sins, that he would suffer the punishment they all deserved.
Being followers of God's Messiah was great because it would put them in top positions. But if he was going to die - what then?
They were assuming all the "see you later" bit. And "later" was going to be great for these key officials of the Kingdom. Matthew records the words of Jesus like this, "I assure you that unless you change and become like children you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. The greatest in the Kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles himself and becomes like this child. And whoever welcomes in my name one such child as this, welcomes me" (18.3-5).
Jesus is saying to them, Don't assume we'll see you later. Unless you repent - change - and become like children you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven! To be part of the Kingdom you have to welcome me and if you truly welcome me, you will welcome a little child like this.
Repent - change. Humble yourself. You know that Jesus died on the cross. Did you know it was because of you? Repent - turn around from being satisfied about having got it all together - turn to welcome Jesus as your Saviour, Lord and Friend.
That's how you become part of the Kingdom. Now give yourself in the service of the King. Show his welcoming love to others. Be kind and considerate. Allow his genuine goodness to reach out to others through you.
It's great to be together this morning. And, as we welcome Jesus into our lives, I'm sure we'll "see you later!"
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