John 1,35-42
John the Baptist’s role was to prepare the way of the Lord and make him known when he came. In today’s gospel the Baptist points out Jesus to Andrew and his companion as the Lamb of God. Earlier, John has given Jesus the fuller title of “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (1,29). In the Old Testament the Passover Lamb is associated with salvation, sacrifice, redemption, and forgiveness of our sins. Isaiah 53,7 reminds us of the lamb led to the slaughter who takes human sins upon himself. The blood of the Passover Lamb (Ex 12,13-14 ), sprinkled on the door posts, saved the Israelites from death by the destroying angel etc.
Being already the disciples of John the Baptist, Andrew and his anonymous companion are searching for something more, as is obvious from their instant willingness to follow Jesus. Jesus initiates the conversation by asking them; “What do you want?” It is a basic question for a disciple. These are Jesus’ first words in John’s gospel, but they are words he addresses to anyone who would wish to follow him. They touch on our needs and motivation for turning to God. Their reply in the form of an exploratory question; “Where do you live?” indicates, perhaps, uncertainty, but clearly, interest and curiosity. The invitation by Jesus “to come and see” is a recognition by him of their nascent faith in him. Coming and seeing are two code words in John’s gospel for faith. They respond to his invitation by staying with him for the rest of the day, showing they have discovered what they were looking for.
Next day, Andrew meets Simon, his brother, tells him that they have found the Messiah, and brings him to Jesus. Only in John’s gospel, is Simon’s name changed immediately at his call to be a disciple. The giving of a new name has a direct relationship to the role the person is going to play in God’s saving plan. Kephas/Peter is going to be a rock or foundation stone on which the church will stand. Before giving Simon this name Jesus “looked hard at him,”- He really sized him up.
What are you looking for from the Lord and from life? Jesus’ invitation to Andrew and his friend to “Come and see,” is addressed to each one of us, too. Reading the gospels and praying them are excellent ways of coming to know and see Jesus.
The way the disciples were called is a model of the way God works through other people. John the Baptist points out Jesus to Andrew and his companion. By sharing his faith in Jesus, by pointing out Jesus to them he is witnessing to Jesus, witnessing to the light, and then he lets Jesus take over. They get to know Jesus better from spending time with him. They in turn lead Peter to Jesus. The disciples become evangelizers. That is the way the Lord works through each one of us, too. The more time we spend with him, and the better we know him, the better will be our witness to him.
How have you a prepared a way for the Lord in your life?
When Jesus “looked hard” at the disciples what qualities do you think was he looking for in them?
What qualities would he see in you?
Have ever shared with anyone about your relationship with Jesus?
Fr Geoff O’Grady