Welcome to our Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish. Our Church Services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you're unable to be with us in person, you'll find the Gospel, a reflection, and prayer below.
Our first hymn this morning is "Jesus Calls us o'er the Tumult"
Today's Gospel
John 1:29-42 Jesus’ First Disciples
John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
Reflection
We know from the Advent readings, that John the Baptist was sent to testify to Jesus as the Messiah and to make his path straight. John would have known Jesus whilst they were growing up, (they were, after all, cousins), and he would no doubt have heard about his character and traits. He would have heard about how Jesus was someone of exemplary standing, with a strong moral compass with a huge capacity for love. Someone with a commanding knowledge the of scriptures and who was obedient to God and God’s laws. Yet, it was only when John saw the Holy Spirit descending and remaining on Jesus that the ‘penny dropped’ and he recognised Jesus for who he truly was. The Son of God, the one who would baptise people with the Holy Spirit.
We can only begin to imagine how excited and amazed John must have been. So much so that he has to start telling everyone. We have to remember, that at that point in time, no one knew anything much about Jesus, so it falls upon John to start to spread the word and the Good News that the Messiah is here and that he is Jesus. That was John’s pre-ordained role – to be witness to Jesus as the son of God.
It is as John begins to tell his own disciples, that some of them start to literally follow Jesus. They are obviously curious and I would image quite excited, as they initially begin to follow Jesus along the road. After all, they have just heard from someone recognised as a prophet that, “Jesus was the Lamb of God” and he may even have elaborated and told them He was the Son of God.
We do not know whether they stealthily followed Jesus at a distance or reasonably close behind. Similarly, we do not know how long they had followed Jesus before he asked them, “What are you looking for?”
Let’s just pause for a moment and consider this question - It’s not that easy to answer, is it? How do you think you would answer in those circumstances? What do you think they were looking for?
It is interesting that they replied by asking Jesus, (“where are you staying?”), rather than answering His question directly. They are clearly eager to get to know Jesus, after all they have been told he is the Messiah. It is perhaps realistic to assume that, by asking where he is staying, they were trying to establish how they can stay with Him and be near Him. Jesus’ response is magical in its simplicity. He doesn’t ask any more questions, He doesn’t want to know anything more about them as individuals, He simply replies, “Come and see”.
For us the message is exactly the same. In our desire to follow Jesus, we too are wanting to be near Him, to understand Him more and to share His love. But if Jesus spoke directly to and asked, “What are you looking for?”, what would we say? Whatever we might answer, we can rest assured, that if we want to follow Him and reach to Him, His invitation will be the same…. “Come and see”. Paul
Our Prayers
Lord Jesus as we ponder what we are looking for,
We thank you for your open invitation
to ‘Come and see’ what you offer us,
To come and see your unbounded love for us,
To come and see your infinite forgiveness
And to be in your presence.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Will You Come and Follow Me"
Notices
This afternoon at 3 pm there is a Service for Christian Unity at St Edward's RC Church. All are warmly invited to join with our fellow Christians from around this area.
Wednesday the 18th January is the first of the Bible Fellowship meetings in our Mission Community. Please see the poster below for details.
Finally, next Saturday, 21st January, we're having a farewell event at St Thomas' Church at 3 pm for Revd Lyn. All are welcome to join us as we give thanks for her ministry in this parish.
