January 20, 2008
John 1:29-42
“Come And See”
(Outline Only)

Yes, I should be thinking of football with the playoffs and all, but today's scripture makes me think of basketball: “We Are All Witnesses.”  That isn't just the campaign for the shoe company that LaBron James has endorsed.  The call to “be a witness” goes a long way back.  It goes back at least as far as John the Baptist, and his compelling call to see the newcomer, Jesus, as “the Lamb of God.” 

What does it mean for us to witness the Messiah rather than a sports superstar?  We can learn from the three principle players in this story.

1.     John: We don't confuse ourselves with the one about whom we should witness, which is to say, we know who is The Message and who is the messenger.

2.     John: We recognize divinity even in unexpected ways.  Jesus was “the Lamb of God;” hardly the sort of savior expected.

3.     Jesus: We ask questions rather than present demands.

4.     Jesus: We ask questions that are meaningful and purposeful.  Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” which also could mean “What is your desire” or “For what do you hope?”  I would ask, “What is your heart's deepest desire?”

5.     Jesus: You have to be willing to be real and honest.  The disciples wanted to see where this amazing prophet was staying.  “Come and see…”

6.     Jesus: You have to be present with the people.  This is conveyed for me in the beautiful and richly symbolic word “abide.”  We must abide with those whom we wish to convince that Jesus is the Messiah.

7.     Andrew:  Finally, we have to be willing to let others take over the message. Andrew becomes the witness to Simon (Peter), and so on, and so on…

Yes, indeed, we ARE all witnesses, to something amazing and real and wonderful.  The Messiah who has come to save us.

Amen.







Rev. Allen V. Harris
Franklin Circle Christian Church
www.FranklinCircleChurch.org


 

Copyright 2008 -- The Rev. Allen V. Harris

Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113-3096