“What Love Does”

Rev. Chelsea Simon

Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 9:00am and 10:30am

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Hello Friends,

As we continue our journey through Epiphany this week, we read of John the Baptist recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. He says, “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’” (John 1:29-30).

John identifies Jesus as the Messiah before Jesus has any followers, performs any miracles, or does any teachings. It reminds the reader that John always knew who Jesus was. Afterall, John was the one who leapt for joy in Elizabeth’s womb when the expecting Mary came to visit.

John not only recognizes Jesus but he points to him. He shares this news with two of his disciples. They become curious about Jesus and begin to literally follow him down the road. Jesus asks them what they want and they respond “where are you staying?”

This doesn’t exactly answer Jesus’s question but of course Jesus gives the most Jesusy answer possible. He says, “Come and see.” This is Jesus’s offering. He invites them to come and know him. To come and look around for themselves. To experience him.

It can be hard to know things we don’t experience ourselves. We can read all the religious books available but until we spend time with God, until we invest in that relationship, until we come and see for ourselves, God remains at arm’s length.

We are invited to come and see. As Henri Nouwen says, “What you need to hear with your heart is that you are invited to dwell in the family of God. You are invited to be part of that intimate communion right now.”

So I hope you will come and see this Sunday, at 8am, 9am or 10:30am.

Peace in Christ,

Chelsea

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