 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Thursday, January 12, 2023 John 1:29-42 To trust – To follow The Gospel for Sunday John 1:29-42 John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 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.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 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?” 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. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, Anointed). Andrew 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.) Two who followed  In the lectionary for year A we get only the first half of this long section about hearing and answering a call – an invitation. Next year you’ll hear the second part. In both, Jesus is revealed slowly gathering those who will become some of his closest companions. What we don’t hear about are the ones who rejected the invitation. And that is always a choice. Maybe you noticed this in the reading: John was standing with two of his own followers. He pointed out Jesus, and both of them began to follow Jesus. They both stayed with him all day. But apparently one of them bailed after that afternoon. We never learn his name. We never hear about him again. By the next morning, we only hear about the other one, Andrew, the brother of Simon (Peter). He went and found Simon and brought him to Jesus. There were only these two who stayed. And these are the only two we remember. And yes, this, too, is a parable about us – right now, today. When you see Jesus, when you’re curious and begin to follow, what makes you want to stay no matter what? What draws you? What makes you think about skipping out? |
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