Come and See

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). John 1:29-42 

I am always grateful for the ease of shopping on line or by catalog but I would always rather see, touch and feel what I am going to purchase. I have been disappointed by quality and sizing more than once. I guess you could say I am a very tactile person, who needs to engage in order to understand. I know some people can believe by reading something, but I need some proof, some interaction.

Here at the beginning of John's gospel find an account of the first meeting of Jesus and Simon/Peter. In this Gospel it is Andrew who goes with Jesus and who brings his brother back with him. After an afternoon with Jesus he has found the Messiah and wants his brother to come and meet him. When he does, Jesus names who he is and then gives him a new name. A new name in many indigenous traditions, including the Cherokee, my people, is a sign of a significant moment in the life of a person - from bravery to wisdom to compassion. So we come and see Jesus and find that our lives change from the interaction.

Today I ask the Creator to help me live as a changed person, one who has witnessed the love and presence of Jesus. May we all be those who are beacons of love and hope, changed forever by the divine love and mercy which knows us each by name.