THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME
John 1:29-42
The Second Sunday after Epiphany, Year A
Analysis by Chris Neumann
29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33I 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.’ 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.”
35The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38When 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?” 39He 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. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). 42He 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).
From Wikimedia Commons
“The person we get to follow is none other than the promised Savior, Christ the Lord, and he checks every last box: Sin eraser, Lamb of God, Teacher, Messiah. Our mistakes and weaknesses are wiped away and corrected by Jesus himself. He calls us all by name and demonstrates the immeasurable love God has for his people, us included.”
DIAGNOSIS: Surveying the market
Step 1: Initial Diagnosis (External Problem) – Needing an improved situation
Should be getting the holiday credit card statement in the mail any day now. Kitchen cupboard shelves feel less adorned with options than is typically the case. Another mortgage payment will be due before I know it. With that relentless outside pressure setting the mood, I logged into Zoom the customary five minutes early to get situated for the interview. A few short minutes later the company recruiting representative joins me. Seemingly at ease in the role, she glances up kindly and asks me the first question, “So, what are you looking for?” Apparently not much has changed in this process over the past 2000 years (cf. v. 38).
Step 2: Advanced Diagnosis (Internal Problem) – Self-preservation
What am I looking for? It’s not as if that is a surprise question. Just the same, there are only a few brief seconds available to assess the virtual room and decide how to proceed with an answer.
Because the real question floating about is, how can I protect myself from rejection while assuring a good situation for me. So, should I make myself sound like the living, breathing problem-solving machine they can’t live without? Try the honesty approach: I’d like to make a nice living and I’d like to do so with the main act in town. Or opt for creatively asking a question in response, in order to get her talking more about what she can do for me.
Regardless of the approach, each stem from the same root of self-interest. Same goes for John’s two disciples. Their boss was headed for an early retirement. These guys needed a new gig. One that offered stability. Something permanent. Of course, they are poking around and following the heralded guy succeeding their boss.
Step 3: Final Diagnosis (Ultimate Problem) – A long shot, and the decision is out of my control
Each interview process is slightly different. The questions will vary. Some require a demonstration of the candidate’s skills and aptitude. Some discussions last a brief 15 minutes. The duration of others can stretch an hour or two. What they all share in common is the conclusion. They all end in the same manner: We’ll let you know.
The parting gives way to an uncomfortable state of pending judgement. The anxiety mounts as time passes, anticipating the results of their evaluation. How impressive was my performance? Did I say the right things? Did I do enough to sway the other side? Have I sufficiently demonstrated my capabilities? At least in each case to the extent that I can confidently stand better than the rest of the lot.
As much as I’d like to think so, I can’t help but see the gaping holes in my qualifications. The odds suggest the whole of the tedious experience will end with my resume in a pile destined for the shredder. For many are called but few are chosen. Imagine all of this on a divine scale of pending evaluation!
PROGNOSIS: Selected for the next round
Step 4: Initial Prognosis (Ultimate Solution) – An offer
And then comes the unlikely call. The response I’ve been nervously waiting for. John’s disciples too. “Come and see,” says the voice (v, 39). Take a deeper look at this opportunity for yourself. Come and check out everything I have to offer. No, you aren’t an especially qualified candidate, (maybe even one of the least likely, for that matter) but get ready to celebrate! You have indeed been selected.
Leave the rest to me. I am going to go to excruciating lengths to transform you into the ideal person for a permanent place with this team. I’ll take care of it all. You just come and see. I’m even going to help you believe this outrageous offer is irrevocably all yours.
Step 5: Advanced Prognosis (Internal Solution) – Signing the letter of acceptance
What an incredible sense of relief. Turns out this opportunity doesn’t just offer some of the things we’ve been looking for, it offers every last thing we could ever want or need. The person we get to follow is none other than the promised Savior, Christ the Lord, and he checks every last box: Sin eraser, Lamb of God, Teacher, Messiah. Our mistakes and weaknesses are wiped away and corrected by Jesus himself. He calls us all by name and demonstrates the immeasurable love God has for his people, us included. And then our strengths will be put to use for the good of the team.
Step 6: Final Prognosis (External Solution) – Off to work
My goodness, has anyone ever been part of a better group? As it turns out, this outfit inexplicably accepts every last remotely interested person, whether assured or skeptical of the proposition, whether eager or frightened by the prospect. Our mission then is clearly one of recruitment. Go, like Andrew. Get out there and get to work. Make more disciples. Give it a shot.
Invite them to Christ’s loving welcome and warm embrace. He has plans for this team. Plans to give us all a future and a hope.
