John 1: 35-42 – Christmastide, January 4th (Audio Bible, Spoken Word)
35 ¶ Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
The first two disciples called by Jesus are disciples of John the Baptist. It is he who looks to Jesus and directs his disciples to look and so behold the Lamb of God. They are sent by John, through being told by him to recognize Jesus. John shows them the way to Jesus – as ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord.’
There is much in these verses of the Bible to teach us about our relationship with Jesus. Having looked upon him, their gaze having been directed by a teacher and friend, the disciples follow, and now it is Jesus’ turn to look upon then. There is a first precious contact and the beginning of recognition and friendship. Jesus’ asks the disciples, ‘What seek ye?’ Their curiosity and their needs are recognized. Jesus invites the two men to be open with their questions and desires.
In reply to Jesus’ question, the two men acknowledge Jesus as Rabbi, as Teacher, and then express their desire to know more about Jesus by asking Jesus where he lives. Jesus’ response is then not merely to tell them where he lives; he invites the men to come and spend time with him.
Here is a guide to a living Christian faith, which is not centred on intellectual curiosity and knowledge from a distance, but rather on proximity with Jesus, living with Jesus and making Christianity our home. This is an action of our whole being, as we grow in understanding through good works, contemplation, earnest desire, and prayer.
Those hours spent with Jesus produce results. Andrew, who is now named, rushes to find his brother and bring him to Jesus. This is Simon, who with one more significant look is now given a new name by Jesus, Cephas, or Peter, the rock, this name anticipating Jesus’ later saying: You are Peter and upon this rock I found my Church.
Almighty God,
the light of a new star in heaven
heralded your saving love.
Let the light of your salvation dawn in our hearts
and keep them always open to your life-giving grace.
Through Christ our Lord.