What the Lamb, Who Serves, Says, IS!

Grace, Mercy, and Peace be to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Our meditation for today comes from our Gospel text, from John the beloved evangelist, chapter 1:

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, 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 before me, because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that HE might be REVEALED to Israel."
And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on HIM. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this IS the Son of God."

On a visit to another church I had the pleasurable opportunity to interact with more of God's people in a setting not too different than ours here at St. Peter's. They were friendly and welcoming, introducing themselves to me and my family.

I asked one regular member what he thought helped their church grow, he finally concluded that people come to church not only to be served, but to serve. At least that's what he meant. What he said at first was "Some people come to church to get something. When we worship we are giving something to God." I said to him, "The kingdom of God is like a cup. When God steps in, the cup can't help but overflow." Alas his words echo on the lips of Christians today, struggling to confirm what God's Word has given. Oh, to serve or to be served…! When WE worship, do WE(?) give something to God…?

[grumble] The sky cracked open. Light beamed downwards. God spoke. [happy laughter] "This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased." Is there anymore that needs to be said? Needs to be done?

With Heaven and earth colliding onto this one man Jesus, what do you give to God? Do you have anything God needs?

Hmm, the world would say either A.) Christians think the world revolves around them. Or B.) Religion is a crutch for the weak that need it. It seems we're stuck between a rock and a hard place. The all-mighty magisterium daring to be toppled. The ignorant simpletons to be dismissed.

Why is it so easy to have church without God? Where we lower-case the G, and upper-case the C. When theology is just another academic exercise in social studies, what do you expect? Religion stops being about what is true. Rather, it's about what tickles your ear and fills your stomach.

The new Atheists are today's religious zealots, crying in the wilderness of the American Middle Ages. Yet America is not freedom FROM religion, but freedom OF religion. Here in America John the Baptist could say, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" And he could say it, without fear of having his head chopped off by the nearest adulterating governess.

Still, fearless he was. Still, confessing he did. He confessed, that not I, but He. It's like when Pastor stands before us all, and blesses us, signing the cross, and saying those beautiful words: "I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Oooh. That's a troublesome thing for some of our religious brothers, especially around the Bible belt of America. They'd rush in around Pastor, [Jn 1:19-28] as the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask John the Baptist, "Who are you?" Both our men, either in a garment of camel's hair or in an alb wrapped in white, would confess, and not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked, "What then? Are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet?" And the answer: no, and no.

Now in comes the Pharisees asking, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" If these lawful men had their way, Moses would die of exhaustion. Jesus would have a car wash. And you and I would have to climb up the ladder to heaven, which we built of our good works, while holding up the ladder we were climbing alone.

For you must do it. No one else can do it for you. No such thing as a free lunch, they warn. What is your personal testimony? … "Baptized when you were a baby? Agch, that was baptism with water: I'm asking you when you were baptized with the Spirit. When your life was changed!" …What is your personal testimony?

Personal testimony? As oppose to the universal testimony that the all creation has been revealing? Why should my testimony be more important than everyone else's!

"And this is the testimony of John": "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Isn't it strange how people name themselves and in that name show just where their fault is? Shouldn't Christians be about the Christ? There's the national association of non-theists who promote freedom from religion, not America's freedom of religion. Shouldn't the Catholic church be universal, not just the Romanists and what they are saying now …not before? And just why are they called Baptists, when the believer is more important than the baptizer!

No wonder then, fumes the fury and wrath of God, when we promote ourselves and demote Him. May it never be. "Almighty God in his mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins." Pastor then says, what the Baptist would say, "As a called and ordained servant of Christ," and not of my authority, but "by His authority…" I confess, "Behold the Lamb of God." While people doubt, Jesus speaks, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." So Jesus has power over creation and words, so that words create.

Even ours. So when Pastor says, the peace of the Lord be with you always, [altar] He gives you peace, right into your failing flesh, joining it with His everlasting Body. What they say is, isn't. What Jesus says is.

He says "I do not desire sacrifice and offerings. I will give you an open ear." So Martha, he croons to us: "let all mortal flesh be silent. I will open your eyes and ears. So that you go & speak what you see & hear." Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

[blessing]
May the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world dwell in your hearts and minds onto life everlasting. Amen.

( 2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany 2
1/20/2008
Series A
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:20-42a)