Come and See and Share

Here are some thoughts on this coming Sunday's gospel reading that were sent to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. I would like your input. What do you see and hear?

John 1:29-42a

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ³¹I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ ³²And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” ³⁴And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ ³⁷The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ ³⁹He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). ⁴²He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).  

We continue in this season of Epiphany with a further manifestation of Christ. I have bolded all the examples of testimony in this passage, including Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see.” As you can see, this theme runs throughout the passage.

John the Baptist continues his witness. Jesus invites two of John’s disciples who began following him to “Come and see.” Finally, we have Andrew, Peter’s brother, witnessing to Peter that they had found the Messiah. 

How different would our faith be if these people had been afraid to share God’s revelation? Can you imagine scripture without those marvelous stories of the impetuous Peter?

God could certainly work without us, but God chose to be one of us in Jesus. God chooses to share with us and use us in his plans. Don’t be afraid to share your faith with others. You never know. It may be a future Peter or Andrew or Lydia or Mary that hears your words. Through us, God chooses to share his love and change lives.

“Great God, your love has called us” (ELW 358). May we respond with open hearts, open hands and open mouths to share this great love. Amen.              

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