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Scripture |
John 1: 29-4229 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel .” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I 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.’ 34 And 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, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When 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?” 39 He 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. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed ). 42 He 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). |
Devotional |
In the Gospel of John the disciples of John become the first followers of Jesus. Andrew and Simon leave John to go with Jesus. Jesus’ invitation to come and see provides all the encouragement they need. The same “come and see” invitation adds Philip and Nathaniel to the group. In the first chapter, eleven different names are used to describe Jesus. Why are there so many names for Jesus? Each of the disciples had different needs and expectations of Jesus. Who is Jesus? As one moves through the Gospel, these titles are changed or replaced. Jesus is not limited to a single definition, but is redefined as the disciples grow in their experience of Jesus. “The church needs to attend to this caution, because it sometimes acts as if it has answered the last question about Jesus’ identity and arrived at a definitive title for him. For example, when new metaphors for understanding Jesus and his relationship to the faith community arise in the church, they are met with suspicion if not outright hostility for not being orthodox or being contrary to tradition.” 1 Does our being orthodox or traditional limit our understanding of who Jesus is? Why would two of John’s disciples leave him to become followers of Jesus? Could being too orthodox or traditional be a reason these two would seek another way? Eric Elnes writes in Asphalt Jesus: [S]ix in every ten Americans in fact-have become part of the “spiritual homeless” of our country. These are people who identify themselves as Christians but feel so alienated from the faith community that they no longer actively participate in one. 2 Two thirds of the Americans who identify themselves as Christians do not find a home in a faith community. Does the church ask the question Jesus asked; “What are you seeking?” Could these “spiritual homeless” Christians be afraid to tell the church what they are seeking? Does the Christian community believe they have all the correct answers? Could John’s disciples have become spiritual homeless? How do we avoid becoming spiritual homeless? Do we hear Jesus when he asks: What are you seeking? 1 Gail R. O’Day, “The Gospel of John” . The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. IX. P. 533
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