Isaiah 49:1–7 / Psalm 40:1–11 / I Corinthians 1:1–9 / John 1:29-42
This is the written version of the
homily given at Flohr’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) in McKnightstown,
Pennsylvania on Sunday, January 18, 2026, by Fr. Gene Tucker, Interim Pastor.
“CONDUITS IN GOD’S SERVICE”
(Homily text: John 1:29-42)
We probably don’t give much thought to
the things that come to us through the quiet operation and work of conduits.
For example, a pipe brings water into our homes. Or, a wire brings electricity
from a power source to light the lights in our houses. Two examples of conduits
at work.
A conduit connects the source of
something to those who will make use of it, or who will benefit from having it.
The same is truth when we think about
the things of God.
God, who is the source of all that is
(God, as creator), is also the source of all wisdom, knowledge and goodness.
God’s qualities are made known to us, oftentimes, through the quiet work of
those who have tapped into God’s riches, and who seek to make those riches
known to others. We might call them “spiritual conduits” of God’s grace and
goodness.
As we think about it, and as we look
back over our shoulders into history, we see that God, quite often, uses
“spiritual conduits” to be the providers of God’s ways and will. Take, for
example, the prophets in Old Testament times, those who spoke God’s truth to
God’s people.
Or, later on, consider the importance
of the original band of Jesus’ Disciples, those who would be sent out as His
Apostles[1] after the Lord’s resurrection and ascension, and after the coming of the Holy
Spirit. This band of followers (the original twelve; minus Judas, but plus
Mattias, who replaced him; and then also Paul…this bunch constituting a
“Baker’s Dozen” group of Apostles) tapped into the knowledge of God as Jesus
had provided it. They then went out into the known world, carrying this Good
News (Gospel) to all who would receive it. “Spiritual conduits”, each one of
them.
Our Gospel reading today provides an
example of two “spiritual conduits”: John the Baptist and also Jesus.
John answered God’s call to proclaim a
baptism for the forgiveness of sins, forsaking what must have been the usual and
expected career path for him, as a son of a priest in the Temple in Jerusalem,
to serve – as his father had – in the Temple, to go out into the wilderness,
calling people to forsake an outward observance of religion for a true and
inner conversion experience.
In the fulness of time, Jesus came to
be baptized by John (an event we remembered last Sunday). John senses that
there is something different about Jesus, saying to Jesus “This is backward:
You need to baptize me, not the other way around”.[2] (My
paraphrase.)
Now, in today’s Gospel reading, John
declares that Jesus is the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”.[3]
In the second instance of declaring
that Jesus is the Lamb of God, two of his disciples, Simon (Peter) and his
brother, Andrew, left John and began to follow Jesus. John the Baptist is the
conduit by which God’s call on these two important Disciples came to Peter and
to Andrew.
We would do well to back up from
today’s passage and look at the verses which immediately precede the incident
before us today.[4] There, we find that emissaries had been sent from Jerusalem to investigate what
John was doing. John is asked, “Who are you?” In response, John says, “I am not
the Christ”. They then ask, “Are you Elijah?” Answer: “No”. Next question: “Are
you the Prophet?” Answer: “No”.
This back-and-forth tells us that John
is the connection (conduit) between God’s will and those who would receive and
benefit from that will. But John doesn’t seek to magnify his own importance.
John is a good “connector” between God, God’s people and God’s will, pointing
to the One who is greater than he: Jesus.
As Jesus’ earthly ministry unfolds, as
God’s power, working through Him, shows us the way to the Father, we could say
that Jesus Christ is the “connector” (conduit) of God’s choosing to make
available to us the richness of the knowledge of God.
Each one of us who has come to faith
through the person and the work of Christ is called to be a “connector”, a
conduit for God’s wisdom, God’s ways and God’s love to flow through us from God
to others. As we do this, God’s love, God’s mercy, and God’s deep desire to be
in a personal relationship with each and every human person is the source into
which we tap in order to make the connection to those who will receive those
great and good gifts. Our own role is vital, but secondary, to God’s purposes
and will.
Enable us, then, O Lord, to come to
know you, that we may bring others to know you, as well. Fit us out to be good
connectors, good conduits of your grace and love.
AMEN.
[1] The title “Apostle” comes to us from two Greek words, which, together,
mean “those who are sent out”.
[2] See Matthew 3:14.
[3] John 1:29 and also 1:36.
[4] See John 1:19–28.
