Reflection by the Rev'd Dr. Deborah Broome

Called by God: Come and See

The next day he 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 Chosen One.”

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

What does it mean to be called by God?  What does it mean for you to be called by God?  And what does it mean for whatever church community your part of to be called by God?  Those questions echo through this Sunday’s Gospel reading. It’s a story of calling, curiosity, and invitation – three things that shape the life of faith.

John the Baptist doesn’t point to himself. He points to Jesus: “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” He says it again the next day: “Look, here is the Lamb of God.”

John’s role is clear: he keeps directing attention away from himself and toward Christ. That’s what calling looks like: not self-promotion, but witness. And what a witness!  John names Jesus as the Lamb of God, echoing the Passover lamb and Isaiah’s suffering servant.  Jesus comes to take away the brokenness of the world – not just for insiders, but for everyone.

Two of John’s disciples hear this and start following Jesus.  When Jesus notices them, he asks a question that cuts to the heart: “What are you looking for?”  It’s a question for us too.  In a world of distraction and anxiety, what are we truly seeking?  Comfort?  Truth?  Transformation? All of those are possible – but Jesus invites us to name our longing.  The disciples don’t give a straight answer.  They ask where he’s staying.  And Jesus responds with an invitation that changes everything: “Come and see.” 

Faith begins with curiosity. The disciples spend the day with Jesus, and then Andrew goes to find his brother Simon. One simple invitation – “Come and see” – leads to another. Simon meets Jesus, and Jesus gives him a new name: Peter.  A new identity.  A new future.

What started with curiosity becomes life-changing.  That’s often how it works.  I read this week:

“Most of the time, we move toward God in small steps taken as much out of curiosity as out of faith.”  Maybe that’s your story.  You move to a new town and decide to check out a church building. You make a friend and wonder what makes their faith tick.  You start asking questions about God and whether a relationship with God is possible.  You might not know exactly what you’re looking for—but you’re willing to follow your curiosity.

Part of our calling is to be like Andrew and Simon: to follow our curiosity about Jesus and see where it leads.  If you’re not sure about faith, maybe that’s where you are right now, and that’s okay.  Another part of our calling is to face outward, to invite others: “Come and see.”

Faith communities everywhere have a common task: we’ve been called by God to connect people with the transforming love of Jesus.  We don’t exist for ourselves, but for those who aren’t yet part of the Church, those who don’t yet know God’s love.  Our calling flows from baptism: to follow Jesus and to help others come and see.  And here’s something to remember:

we don’t do this alone. God, who calls us, is faithful.  And God has become our strength.

Image credit: Saint John the Baptist Bearing Witness, Artist: Annibale Carracci (www.metmuseum.org Public Domain)