Wednesday, January 11, 2017

"Come and See" (Reflections on Epiphany 2, Year A)


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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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