Epiphany 2, Year B

Epiphany 2 Year B John 1:43-51 January 18, 2009 The Rev. Benton Quest

I think today’s gospel reading is one of the more challenging lessons we read throughout the lectionary cycle. Today we encounter Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. Jesus is out putting together his group of followers. This should be a great lesson for us if we want to go out and bring the gospel of Christ to the world: How would Jesus go out and find people?

Well, in reading this gospel lesson, the key sentence that jumped out at me was “Come and see!” This is the invitation that Jesus gives; it is the invitation that Jesus used to draw his followers to him and it is still as applicable to us today as it was all those years ago.

When we think about this invitation, we first need to ask ourselves, “Who is it that offered the invitation to ‘Come and see’”? Well, that is a fairly easy one, it was Jesus, the Master, the Teacher, and the Messiah. Jesus made this invitation, but it was not only made to Nathaniel, Jesus has made this invitation to believers down through the ages. Jesus invites all believers, and that would include you and me, to “Come and see” “Come and see” where life in Christ can and will lead you. “Come and see” the miracles that Jesus will do in and through you.” “Come and see” where a journey, undertaken in faith, can and will lead. Jesus calls Nathaniel, and all his followers, to “come and see.”

Since we now know who is making this invitation, the next question would have to be, “To whom was the invitation offered?” Well, it was offered to Nathaniel, a plain and simple man and quite the skeptic. When Philip told Nathaniel that they had found the one foretold by Moses, Nathaniel scoffed and responded, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” But Jesus was not prevented from seeing past the skepticism and “simplicity” of the man. Jesus saw the true man. Jesus saw him, invited him, and called him to be a part the greatest ministry in all of history. Jesus invited this simple skeptic. Jesus gave the invitation to one who was not of high rank or noble birth. Jesus gave this invitation and this invitation rings down through the ages to us. Simple as we are; skeptical, doubtful, sinful, and rough around the edges as we are, Jesus sees beyond the here and now of our lives and sees our future; our future in his love and presence.

If we continue to think about this phrase, “Come and see”, I would hope we would begin to wonder how applies to each of us as people. Do we respond to the invitation; opening ourselves to the amazing things that God is doing in our midst and in the world? Do we keep our eyes, ears, and minds open to the possibilities that can be found in Christ? Or do get so wrapped up in the ordinary everyday world? Do we lose sight of the possibilities and power that are promised to each of us just by responding to Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see!”? Do we only look to the creation and forget about looking to the creator?

As a congregation who is called to keep putting that invitation out there to others in Christ’s name, how are doing? Do we offer the invitation only to certain people? Are we selective? Do we look for people who think, or act, or look, or believe, or worship like us? Or do we look beyond the moment, beyond the outward and worldly appearances? Or do we see the presence of Christ and that potential in everyone we encounter?

If we are selective in offering the invitation, then we are not understanding the ministry and teaching of Christ. If we are only reaching out to those certain few, then we need to recommit ourselves to reaching the lost, the hurting, the hungry, the disenfranchised, the “outsider”. There is room on this journey and at Christ’s table not for a select few, but for everyone.

Imagine if someone in your past had been selective in offering the invitation --- would you be here? Would you be on this journey with Christ? I’m not sure if I would be; but I encountered people like Bishop Gibbs and others who invited me to “come and see.” I encountered people who continued to walk with me and did not cast me out when it was discovered that I was something less than perfect. I found people, who like Jesus, were able to look beyond the simple skeptic and see the potential that lives within.

But there is another question that still needs to be asked: Just what was Jesus inviting Nathaniel to “come and see?” What great thing did Jesus have for Nathaniel that would be worth Nathaniel turning his whole life upside-down for? Jesus says that Nathaniel “will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." If you ask me, that is kinda weird.

What I think Jesus is trying to say to Nathaniel is that what Jesus has to offer is more that can be imagined. Simple words cannot express the wonder that a life spent in service to Jesus can bring. That is accepting Christ’s invitation to “come and see,” Nathaniel was going to embark on something that his previous life could not even imagine.

If we extend the invitation for someone to “come and see” what is here at St. Swithan’s in the Swamp, what will they find? Will they find life as usual? Or will they find something beyond what their previous life could have prepared them for? Will they find the tried and the comfortable? Or will they find the exciting and the energizing? If we invite people to come and see, will what they find be worth the trip?

As I hope you do, I find the love of Christ to be inspiring and life giving. But for many, Sunday worship is just another chore in a long list of things that are demanding of a person’s time. Worship becomes something that saps life instead of restoring life. If we want to invite people to come and see, then we need to be sure that when they get here, they can find the love that Christ is all about.

The easiest way to do that? Daily step out and look at the world with the eyes of faith. Trust in the journey that is set before you. Coming and seeing is not a one time event, it is something that continues throughout our lives. And if the journey seems to be troubling, continue on knowing that God will not abandon you. Share the good things you have seen in Christ with those around you. If you can’t find any good thing that you have in Christ, ask God to open your eyes; they are there, it is just that sometimes we become blinded by the world. And always know that Christ calls you to the table to be fed, nurtured, and energized.

Christ’s table is a big table! Big enough for all to attend. If you feel lost, then please, come to the table and see. And if you know someone who needs to hear the good news, then invite them to the table, invite them to come and see!