Title: Unknown (Click on the image for a larger version.)
Biblical Scripture:
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” … Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see." —John 1 35:39
Writer: Rev. Alex McCauslin
Artist: Rachel Wright
The Faith Story: A New Way of Seeing
The first thing I do in the morning, sometimes before I've even opened my eyes, is reach out to the right and feel around on my bedside table until my fingertips find the cool plastic frames of my glasses. As I slip them on my face, the shadows slide into focus.
Our scripture for this morning shows Jesus' disciples beginning their journey with Jesus in much the same way as I begin my day. They have to clear their eyes and look.
John tells them, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
Jesus asks them, "What are you looking for?"
Then, Jesus invites them, "Come and see."
These references to sight resonate today. This time of year especially- when it's cold and dark and the holidays are behind us instead of in front of us- the world often can look ugly and confusing- anxiously blurry or, perhaps, a dull colorless grey.
Seeking to follow Jesus requires us to look at the world in a different way. We're asked to put on our Jesus glasses and look, see, and behold anew. This new way of seeing requires work- looking first at the Lamb of God, then looking inward at ourselves and our intentions, and finally looking at the word as we follow where Jesus leads.
We have the ability to put on our own set of Jesus glasses, if we just reach out and grab them.