Sunday, January 19, 2020

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time; 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:
First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11
Second Reading: I Corinthians 1:1-9
Gospel Reading: John 1:29-42

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  John is clear about who Jesus is.

We are to have such clarity about who Jesus is for us.  Jesus is not simply a teacher.  Jesus is not only one who is kind and smart and good.  Jesus is the very Christ of God.  Jesus is the perfect incarnation of the presence of God.

Are you clear about Jesus?  Are you clear with who he is in your life?  The challenge for us as Christians is, we make that a creedal issue.  We know the creed and we can recite the words: “I believe in Jesus Christ.”  We know how to claim him: “He is Lord and Savior.”

It is not about knowing the right words.  Knowing the words counts.  Knowing about Jesus is important.  Studying the scriptures and taking in all the knowledge that we possibly can have about who Jesus is—that is important.  It is, but it is not the whole of it.

To be clear about who Jesus is we also receive him into the fullness of our life.  It is not just an academic brain thing; it is also a felt deep inside of our soul thing.  Jesus doesn’t just want us to know him; Jesus wants us to love him.

Love takes it deeper.  Love is that which matters most in our lives.  To be clear about who Jesus is, that is to love him.  

What John says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  Much can be said about “Lamb of God” and how that is a vision not of the mighty warrior but as the gentle sacrifice.  And, much can also be said about “who takes away the sin of the world” and the role of Jesus and salvation through the cross.  But, first, it is that word “Behold,” that John uses. 

It is a word of attention.  It is a word that calls us to pause, stop, take a breath and realize this matters.  Jesus is our behold…Jesus is that one who causes us to stop, take a breath, and realize that all this matters.

Behold, he is in our lives.  Behold, he is what makes it all matter.  Behold, he loves us.  Behold, he is the one who has us, helps us, keeps us, sustains us. 

Behold…

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter / Stated Clerk