Thoughts on Sunday’s Gospel
Last week we celebrated the Baptism of Our Lord. The setting for that action was the Gospel of Matthew. At that point, John initially resisted baptizing Jesus. In John, we don’t have the actual baptism taking place. However, in retrospect, John finds that the whole reason for John the Baptist’s ministry was “… I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel” (v. 31).
We are in the season after Epiphany. Epiphany isn’t just any old kind of understanding.
It means revealing, insight, revelation. John the Baptist’s ministry was to point away from himself and to show everyone who Jesus is. Right out of the gate, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “…the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (v. 29). Jesus makes us new.
John saw and understood who Jesus was. What did he do about it? He testified to what he knew. John the Baptist told the story of seeing the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus.
This passage is full of verbs, action words. John the Baptist saw, declared, baptized, testified, watched, and exclaimed. He then steps out of the picture.
What was the result of these actions? Two of his disciples started following Jesus. One of those disciples was Andrew. He acted as well with his new-found knowledge. Andrew found his brother, Simon, and told him the good news. He took things even further. He “brought” Simon to Jesus. Jesus called Simon, “Peter.”
It’s wonderful that we have been made God’s beloved children through the waters of baptism, but we, too, are called to do something about it. We, are to testify, declare, exclaim and bring people to Jesus. Do we want friends, neighbors and relatives to come to church? Bring them! Just as Andrew brought Simon, we can bring others. As I hear the stories of so many, they are here because of a friend, acquaintance or relative bringing them to church.
Let us pray:
By your word, eternal God, your creation sprang forth, and we were given the breath of life. By your word, eternal God, death is overcome, Christ is raised from the tomb, and we are given new life in the power of your Spirit. May we boldly proclaim this good news in our words and our deeds, rejoicing always in your powerful presence; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship).
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