A homily by Fr. Gene Tucker, given at Trinity Church, Mt. Vernon, Illinois on Sunday, January 16, 2011
“COME AND SEE”
(Homily text: John 1: 29 – 42)“Come and see.”
All during this season of Epiphany, we will examine, Sunday by Sunday, one aspect of the Lord’s manifestation to the world. Put another way, for each of the eight Sundays in this season of Epiphany , one aspect of the Lord’s identity will form our theme.
Today’s theme centers around the reality that Jesus Christ is the promised one (the Messiah, the Christ) who is to come. Christ is to be the center of our focus and devotion. It is to this reality that John the Baptist points in our gospel reading for this morning.
Notice how John seems to steer his disciples away from himself and toward the Lord. “This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me,’” John says. John also affirms Jesus’ identity by saying, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
John’s witness is directed toward Jesus Christ. Despite this orientation, some biblical scholars believe that John the Baptist had quite a large number of disciples, and that this group of people who were devoted to John’s teaching and leadership continued to exist for quite awhile into the time when the Church itself had been founded. St. Paul encounters just such a group of John’s disciples at Ephesus (see Acts 19: 1 – 7). Perhaps, for the early Church, the existence of groups of disciples who were devoted to following John was a problem for a time.
“Come and see.” This phrase is found in John’s gospel account no less than three times:
Jesus replies to the two of John’s disciples who have come to Him, as they ask Him, “Where are you staying?” Jesus says, “Come and see.”
- A few verses beyond this morning’s passage , we hear Philip say to Nathanael that he had found “the one of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth”. In response, Nathanael asks, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip responds by saying, “Come and see.”
- After Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, had died, Jesus came to see his family, and asks, “Where have you laid him?” In response, Lazarus’ sisters reply, “Come and see.”
The overall theme of John’s gospel account, and indeed, of all four gospel accounts, is “Come and see.”
Come and see what God has done by sending the Lord Jesus Christ to show us the way to the Father.
Come and see that new life is possible as a result of the wonderful gift that the Father has given in sending the Son.
“Come and see.”
The invitation to come and to see is also extended to us.
Come and see anew the great things that God has done, and is doing, in the person of Jesus Christ. When we come to faith in Him, or come again to a deeper faith in Him, we see more and more into the mystery of God as He is revealed in Jesus Christ. Lives are changed!
Come and see the truths of God as they are contained in Holy Scripture. Resolve to attend Sunday morning Bible Study, or Sunday School. Resolve to undertake a regular regimen of Bible reading, using Morning and/or Evening Prayer, or a devotional such as “Forward Day By Day”.
Come and see the changed lives that are present in this Church. I have often said that I believe one reason the Church exists is precisely for the reason that it serves as a laboratory where we can observe God working in each other’s lives. And as we do, we gain insights into the similar ways that God can work in our own life.
Come and see the many ways that faith can be put into concrete action. The needs within this faith community, and outside its walls, are many. What ways could we identify to show forth our faith through our deeds of love and service?
We can invite others to “Come and see.” Last Friday, I had a long chat with our Rector’s Warden, Mrs. Esther Schelosky. We considered ways in which we might build up the body of Christ in this place with new initiatives that we can undertake in this New Year to invite others to be a part of this worshipping community. You will hear more about some of the things we talked about during the Annual Meeting, which will be held on Sunday, January 30th.
“Come and see.” The invitation is directly to you and to me, personally. It is an invitation which comes not just once, at our baptisms, but again and again. It is an invitation to enter into a deeper and closer walk with God.
AMEN.
