"Come and See"
- Rev Robert Moses
- Jan 18
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 16
2nd Sunday after the Epiphany
Lessons (RCL, Year A): Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; and, John 1:29-42
Our gospel story for today picks up shortly after Jesus’ baptism. However, today’s narrative is from the perspective of the Gospel according to John, rather than Matthew, as we heard last week. In John's gospel, we don’t hear about Jesus’ baptism in real time; instead, we focus on what happens immediately afterward. Through the testimony of John the Baptist, we witness the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and His encounter with His first disciples.
You may notice that the Gospel according to John gets straight to the point, addressing the core of who Jesus is. In the thirteen verses we heard this morning (John 1:29-42), the author identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Son of God, Rabbi, and Messiah. These are all titles we know very well, but John the Baptist is the first person to apply these names directly to Jesus. Thus, as with many “firsts” in Jesus’ story, this moment should evoke wonder, awe, and questions: What might God be up to here? What might the reader or hearer be invited to next?
Surely, John must have contemplated this as well. After all, within a day of witnessing the moment by the river, John is already bearing witness to it. He testifies,
“I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him…And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:32).
This testimony is that of a prophet, one speaking for God about God’s activity in the world. But it is also the testimony of a disciple—someone who is committed to following Jesus on the way. John seizes every opportunity to witness to God’s mysterious presence and life-giving love. When John sees Jesus after His baptism, he proclaims,
“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
And again, when he sees Him pass by with two of his own disciples, he exclaims,
“Look, here is the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36).
John is the one down by the river calling everyone to repentance; he isn’t one to mince words. He boldly calls the Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers” and urges the people to change their trajectory, to prepare the way for the one who is to come. Now, for John, that one has come. His responsibility is clear; his mission is culminating. He must point the way. While he might be saddened when two of his disciples—who had likely been following him for some time—choose to follow Jesus instead (John 1:37 ff), I suspect John would feel pleased. He has prepared them well to follow the one who will be their “Rabbi”; they should want to follow Him.
Come and See
Jesus invites them along with three simple yet profound words: “Come and see!” (John 1:39). This brings us to the present day. This is the invitation of Jesus to each and every one of us: “Come and see.” Come! See what God is up to. Reflect on what God might be inviting you to next. Come with your hope, faith, and love. Come with your questions, doubts, and fears. Come with your brokenness, sin, and hurt. Come, no matter where you are on the journey—no matter how you’re feeling, how you believe you’re doing, or how others might perceive you. No matter your experiences or viewpoints, no matter your step on the journey or place in the story—come; the invitation and welcome of Jesus knows no boundaries. “Come and see.”
This invitation is one to wonder. It’s an invitation to experience. It’s an invitation to open our hearts to experience God’s love anew, with fresh eyes, ears, minds, and hands. This invitation lies at the heart of this season after Epiphany, the “green season” between Jesus’ baptism and Transfiguration. It is the space between the coming and going of the Magi and Jesus being led into the wilderness on His journey toward the cross.
Sometimes we can overlook it—in this in-between space—as we transition from the preparation of Advent and the busyness of Christmas to the deeper Kyries of Lent and the somber journey of Holy Week.
Yet, it is in this in-between space that God is up to something new. Jesus is just beginning His work. The world is just starting to get a glimpse—an epiphany of sorts (see what I did there). From the witness of the wise men to the testimony of John the Baptist, these are the first moments of Jesus’ life-changing and life-saving mission: the work of discipleship. Through His preaching and teaching—through the words of His Sermon on the Mount and His first acts of mercy and miracles, such as turning water into wine and healing those longing for a new day.
While some in our church may regard this as a period of “ordinary time,” in reality, it is anything but. It’s a time of exploration, a time of discovery, and a time of experimentation—when we have some space to try new things. The calendar reflects a new year, but more importantly, in this season, we also celebrate the light of Christ shining through.
This season of Epiphany invites each of us and all of God’s beloved to come and see the message Jesus extends to us in today’s story. We are encouraged to embrace the baptismal waters we witnessed last week, allowing God to be God while also following God’s invitation to witness, wonder, try, learn, do, and live out our baptismal promises. These promises include “continuing in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship... persevering... proclaiming by word and example... seeking and serving Christ... and striving for justice and peace.” We are called to show up in all our various vocations for the sake of those in need in the world that God dearly loves.
Our Work as Disciples and Stewards In today’s gospel story, we glimpse the first two disciples and the beginning of their journey with Jesus. These disciples responded to the invitation to “come and see” and chose to follow Jesus with their questions, doubts, hopes, and fears, bringing their full selves and lives into this commitment. Throughout their journey with Christ and each other, they grew, lived, and served. Through them, God’s work was accomplished, and the good news of God’s love was shared. This work continues in you—disciples of Jesus and stewards of God’s love here in Lakeland today.
As I look out at all of you this morning, I am filled with gratitude. I join the Apostle Paul, who writes in our second lesson, “I give thanks to my God always for you…” Just as Paul notes, we are “called to be saints together.” We are called to be disciples together, “called into the fellowship” of Jesus.
Who are we? Who are our neighbors? What might God be doing? What might God be inviting us to explore? What could be our next most faithful step? God is at work—what might be next?
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