John 1:29-42 Jan 15 2022
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The author of John is a excellent storyteller. They tell two layers of stories at one time. On the literal level, John is standing about with those learning from him. He sees Jesus passes and witnesses that this person here is the Lamb of God who takes away the Sin of the world; a heavenly Spirit is upon him; and who baptizes with the Holy Spirit; and finally – as if this were not enough – is the Son of God.
The literal level is John is impressed. And sharing what he sees. The allegorical level, the next level of meaning to this, is that the author is establishing John the Baptist is not Jesus, not greater than Jesus, and was not on scene before Jesus. You see, there was once quite the theological debate on whether John or Jesus was the messiah. The author wants to set that clear.
Day 3 after Jesus’ baptism comes. Again John sees Jesus. Again he declares this is the Lamb of God. If something is said twice, nowadays, we know someone means it. “I love you” is not as strong as “I love you, I love you!” In the ancient Judean world, too, saying something twice made it more real. So this repetition happens often.
John’s disciples have heard their rabbi tell them twice now that this Jesus fellow is the lamb of God. Lamb of God is a title alluding to the Isaiah prophecies of a good shepherd who guides the people; of the lamb of Passover that preserves life and conquers death; of the servant of God who will end the Sin of the world – not sins. Not individual wrongs. But the Sin. Capital. Singular. The separation of the world from God.
So literally they have heard this twice. But the second layer of meaning is that this is truth. John has said it twice. Testified twice. John is not the lamb of God but the one witnessing, revealing, who is lamb is.
The two disciples of John followed after Jesus and the two layer story continues. Literally, Jesus turns, sees them following, and asks, “What are you seeking?” Are they looking for food, conversation, or…? Literally, they say, “Teacher, where are you staying?” Literally asking where he is residing. “Come and see,” Jesus replies. Literally, let me show you where I am.
But these are also a conversation about faith. Jesus sees them following – doing as he is doing. And he asks them why, what are they seeking? What does their hearts and souls and minds desire? Likely a closer relationship with God. Or a Godly life. Or to know more of God’s ways. They reply by asking where Jesus is staying. Residing. They want to know where Jesus resides in the faith, how Jesus exists in God’s world, how to stay in God’s heart. Jesus replies with an invitation – come and see. Some and learn. Come and be.
This conversation could have happened many times with many ancient Jewish rabbis and spiritual seekers. Most towns and villages had a rabbi. Clergy – the priests and scribes – were a specific class of people. They were highly educated, went through mentorships, and were authorized to help run the government. Then, as now, there were not enough of these specialists for every town and every need. Then, as now, lay worship leaders – aka, rabbis – also served their communities. Every community had a synagogue where scripture was read aloud, children learned their alphabets and to recite writings from memories, and how to follow God. Rabbis would offer interpretations on scripture, help teach the daily classes, and keep on passing the faith to the next generation.
But they had jobs to support themselves, too. Carpentry or housebuilding for Jesus. Fishing for Nathaniel. Farming – sheepherding – and so forth. One wasn’t supposed to get paid for being a rabbi. It a service to the community. But one could accept hospitality, donations, and such if they were offered. If they weren’t, then the rabbi was expected to support themselves and not be a burden.
Sometimes these lay leaders would be quite impressive and people would begin to come to hear them preach, or see how they live. These would be disciples. They also had families, and jobs, but they wanted to live a life more aligned with God. So they’d take a week or a few months or even a year and go live with this rabbi as their mentor.
A blessing was, “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.” May you follow him so closely that the dust from their footsteps coat you. And that way, you are literally walking where they walk… but also metaphorically walking the way of God, being a person in righteousness.
The rabbi might become itinerate – a wanderer – for a part of the year. Maybe over the summer while crops grew – or a weekend when their wife said she had things handled. Or a year after becoming an empty nester. While the rabbi wandered through towns teaching, offering support to local churches called synagogues and schools, any who were their disciples came along too.
Since then, and now, rabbis are supposed to be role models, people watched what they did, how they did it, and what they said very closely. Torah can be translated as Law, but it also can be translated as Way. Lifestyle. How to be. So a disciple of a rabbi is learning how to be, a lifestyle, a way to be right with God and others and the world.
This is from the Babylonian Talmud – which is about 500 years after Jesus but gives insight into what following a rabbi can entail: “It has been taught: R. Akiba said: Once I went in after R. Joshua to a privy, and I learnt from him three things. I learnt that one does not sit east and west but north and south; I learnt that one evacuates not standing but sitting; and I learnt that it is proper to wipe with the left hand and not with the right. Said Ben Azzai to him: Did you dare to take such liberties with your master? He replied: It was a matter of Torah, and I required to learn.” (Babylonian Talmud: Tractate Berakoth; Folio 62a)
Akiba, when he was learning how to be, followed his rabbi into the restroom. A fellow gasped, why did you do that?! Akiba replied, Well, everyone must use a restroom. It is a part of being. And learning how to be right with the world, and others, and God must include being right in the restroom. And really, the man learned good advice like don’t wipe with the hand you use to eat with. (Read more here https://halakhah.com/berakoth/berakoth_62.html)
So when Jesus invites these would-be disciples to come and see where he is staying, he’s inviting them to literally come and stay and see how he treats those around him. And he’s also saying come and be – be like me. Come and learn how to be righteous.
Andrew is so excited about John’s words, and Jesus’ invite, he runs to his brother Simon and gives Jesus yet another title – Messiah. The anointed one. The one God has chosen to be a saviour to the people. “We have found the Messiah!” Simon must go and see this for himself too.
Book Net Canada estimates 1 in 10 books sold are self-help books.
It seems everyone is looking for a role model and improvement!
Before Youtube and the printing press, it was really hard to find these mentors. Word of mouth had to be used. It was hard to know what a church was about. You had to go and experience it.
And even today, with all our media and connections, there’s rarely a substitute for a personal relationship. A personal councilor. Mentor. Pastor. A big brother. A big sister. An auntie. A grandpa. We benefit from personal mentorship.
And that’s where you come in. You are a disciple of Jesus. You’re learning from Jesus. But it’s our job to be like Andrew and tell people what we’re learning. To share what is useful! To tell people where to find good role models, where to learn a lifestyle that is focused on walking gently on earth, being in harmony with creation, and growing in grace with one another. A place to feel connected with the divine.
The invitation to us, and for us to share with others, is come and see; come and be. Come and see what is good. Come and be. Be a volunteer. Be a mentor. Be hope. Be love. Be mercy. Come with me and see what this is all about – and come and be a positive impact on your world.
Amen.
Pastor Whitney Bruno Sermons 