John 1:29-42
Can you hear that ancient voice that tells us of the one who would pave the way for Christ's coming? Do you see how God utilized John's voice to draw others to God's self? Do you hear how one voice testifying to God lead other voices to speak their own recognitions of God? It is interesting that in the cacophony of voices found in the world, Jesus' word is heard among them. Perhaps the continuation of God's words mixed with ours is the most beautiful miracle of this passage.
We read these words and know that the cycle continues. God speaks, humans respond. Humans speak to the presence of God, others are drawn to God. God speaks (in the person of Jesus) to those who would testify anew, and Jesus is revealed and seen. Then, as if that wasn't enough, God speaks again saying, "come and see" and invites his newest disciples (those who once followed John) to come even closer as Jesus reveals more deeply to them that he is the messiah.
There is an interesting reliance by Jesus on the words of those he encounters. While the word became flesh and dwelt among humanity, humanity has a role in perpetuating that Word. Paul will later remind us that through the hearing of the word, we come to know the Word (logos/Jesus) because faith comes in that hearing (Romans 10:17). It might be well for us to remember that the Word and words do things. They can enact love, mercy and grace. Let us not take for granted, nor underestimate the power of the Word...or even the power of our own words. Let us remember that the Word heals, delivers and saves. Let our words rise up in testimony to the Word made flesh that we may continuously be a part of the conversation and that our words may lead others to the Word that is life.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39 "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
Can you hear that ancient voice that tells us of the one who would pave the way for Christ's coming? Do you see how God utilized John's voice to draw others to God's self? Do you hear how one voice testifying to God lead other voices to speak their own recognitions of God? It is interesting that in the cacophony of voices found in the world, Jesus' word is heard among them. Perhaps the continuation of God's words mixed with ours is the most beautiful miracle of this passage.
We read these words and know that the cycle continues. God speaks, humans respond. Humans speak to the presence of God, others are drawn to God. God speaks (in the person of Jesus) to those who would testify anew, and Jesus is revealed and seen. Then, as if that wasn't enough, God speaks again saying, "come and see" and invites his newest disciples (those who once followed John) to come even closer as Jesus reveals more deeply to them that he is the messiah.
There is an interesting reliance by Jesus on the words of those he encounters. While the word became flesh and dwelt among humanity, humanity has a role in perpetuating that Word. Paul will later remind us that through the hearing of the word, we come to know the Word (logos/Jesus) because faith comes in that hearing (Romans 10:17). It might be well for us to remember that the Word and words do things. They can enact love, mercy and grace. Let us not take for granted, nor underestimate the power of the Word...or even the power of our own words. Let us remember that the Word heals, delivers and saves. Let our words rise up in testimony to the Word made flesh that we may continuously be a part of the conversation and that our words may lead others to the Word that is life.
No comments:
Post a Comment