EPIPHANY seems like the lost season of the liturgical calendar. It comes between Christmas and Lent and contains a multitude of events in Jesus’ life. Primarily, though, the themes center around Jesus’ manifestation to all people, responding to God’s call and witnessing to Jesus as the Son of God.
The first chapter of John’s Gospel contains the soaring language that defines the meaning of the incarnation and how God is revealed in the Person of Jesus. That is followed by a series of events taking place over four days.
One the first day, John the Baptiser makes it clear he is not the Messiah, but “one who is the light is coming.” Next, while John’s Gospel does not contain a specific account of Jesus’ baptism, he recounts how he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and remain on Jesus. So it is that John can now testify with certainty that Jesus is the Son of God. Then, on the third day, John was standing with his disciples as Jesus passes by and declares: “Look, behold the Lamb of God I told you was coming.” With that, two of John’s disciples follow Jesus. The Greek word used suggests more than just going to the same place, but in the sense of a commitment to discipleship.
Now the Gospel focuses on Jesus who turns to the two men and asks: “What are you looking for?” For the gospel writer this is a question that goes to the heart of the impulse to turn to God. The men, one who is Andrew, asks where Jesus is staying and Jesus answers: “Come and see.” The men remain with Jesus all afternoon. This simple invitation is rich in meaning, for in John’s Gospel, “coming” to Jesus is a way of describing faith.
Andrew, after meeting Jesus goes to his brother, Simon, and declares: “We have found the Messiah.” Andrew takes Simon to Jesus, who looks at him and tells Simon he is from now on to be called Cephas (Peter). ”
“Behold the Lamb of God.” This is the earth-shattering metaphor that is central to today’s proclamation. EPIPHANY is all about this encounter with revelation. God desires to be known – not simply perceived within the experience of a beautiful sunset; discovered through a microscope or found in tablets of stone. God does not desire to be known in the way you view a painting and believe you know the artist. Rather, it is the heart of God that we seek to know through faith.
EPIPHANY as an encounter with revelation also calls forth a response from us. The example of Andrew is relevant here. His response to Jesus’ invitation “come and see” drove him to a response of “go and tell.” Having experienced Jesus by personal encounter, Andrew does not keep his “Ah-ha” experience to himself. He responds to the revelation of the Lamb by going to find his brother to tell the good news. But the text never says that Simon was immediately convinced that Jesus was the Lamb of God. It is only after Simon has experienced his own first-hand conversion from “come and see” that he becomes a believer and disciple. Finding, Bringing. Telling. These are the principles of Andrew’s mission.
And the reading (John 1:29-42) speaks to us today. Each of us has been offered the invitation “come and see.” It calls for a response like Andrew’s. We, having experienced the love, caring, and forgiving of the Lamb of God in our way, must bring the news and live it out through our journeys of faith . . . “Behold the Lamb of God.” . . . “Come and see.” . . . Believe and live in faith.
Source: © The Rev. Peter Groschner, January 19, 2020. John1:29-42. Reprinted with permission from the author.