You just have to love John the Baptist. This
cat does a pretty awesome thing in the appointed gospel lesson for Epiphany 2,
Year A (John 1:29-42). He purposely takes all the focus off of himself—even though
he’s been the rock star of prophets up to this point—and points the way to
Jesus. No ego. No fuss. He makes an orderly transition of authority from
himself to the one he calls “the Lamb of God.” Later, in John 3:25-30, when his
own disciples start to get their shorts bunched up because Jesus has become
more popular than John, the Baptist again modestly points to Jesus: “He must
increase, but I must decrease,” he says in verse 30.
This week we in the U.S. heard our President
give a farewell address. I thought it was pretty cool of Mr. Obama to set his
adoring hometown crowd straight when they booed at his mention of the transition
of power. He reminded us that, whether you like the incoming leader or not, the
transfer of authority must take place in a peaceful and respectful way in order
to show the rest of the world that American democracy still works. Some people
may not like the change, but there is something more than personalities
involved here. There is a belief system which unites us and makes us who we
are.
The world of the church doesn’t seem much
different from the world of politics at times. Two buddies of mine—older colleagues
who have been my “rabbis” over the years—have recently retired after long and
distinguished careers in their respective parishes. I’ve been in contact with members
of both congregations, and I have to confess to being somewhat dismayed by
reports that some church members have just sort of drifted away from worship
during this transitional period. I have to wonder if folks are saying to
themselves, “Golly. I don’t want to risk becoming attached to an interim pastor
who will not ‘abide’ here permanently. I guess I just better sit at home until
the Call Committee picks someone permanent and then I’ll come and see if I like
him (or her). Of course, whoever comes next won’t be as good as Pastor
Wunderbar with whom I’ve had so much history and with whom I’ve grown so
comfortable.”
I’ll admit, transitions suck. It’s hard to
deal with change because it also means dealing with loss. Even though my
retired friends diligently preached to their congregations that the worship
life and mission of the church was not about them but about Jesus, it’s still
been hard for some people to get the message. “Come and see” is easily said,
but it takes faith to do it.
When I read this Gospel passage, I attach
a lot of meaning to the disciples’ question, “Teacher, where are you staying?”
(verse 38). I question if these boys are trying to figure out if Jesus is one
of them, a local, or if he’s someone who is committed to hanging with them and
being part of their community. They don’t bounce up to him and say, “Hey, Mr.
Of Nazareth! John the Baptist just told us that you’re the Messiah, so we’re
going to become your disciples and follow you everywhere even unto death out of
pure faith!” No. That would be a little too hard to do. They have to question
him first. The problem, of course, is that Jesus so rarely gives anyone a
straight answer (check out poor Nicodemus in chapter 3!). He tells them, “Come
and see.”
So where are you abiding, Jesus? Maybe not in things familiar to us. But, if
we’re true disciples, our job is to seek Jesus and abide with him even if it
means transitioning from the known and comfortable. It might mean embracing the
truth that we Christians no longer have primacy in the culture. It might mean
accepting the loss of permanent, full-time, ordained clergy and shifting ministry
to an energized laity. It might mean embracing different worship styles, times,
and places. It might mean worshiping with people who are radically different
from the folks we saw in the pews when we were kids. But our faith isn’t about
leaders or buildings or even Sunday mornings.
“Where do you abide?” the disciples ask of
Jesus.
“Come and see,” He says to us.
May you abide with Him this week. God’s
peace to you, and thanks again for stopping by.
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