Isaiah 49:1-7 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 Psalm 40:1-12

“What are you looking for?”  These are the words of Jesus to two disciples of John the Baptist – two disciples who would become Jesus’ disciples – one known to us as Andrew, the other unnamed.  We could speculate that this unnamed disciple is in fact the “Beloved Disciple” who remains unnamed throughout John’s Gospel.

Our Gospel lesson this morning picks up on what Bible commentators label as Day Two of the first days of Jesus’ recorded ministry. Unlike Matthew and Luke,  John’s Gospel tells us nothing of Jesus’ birth or early days or even the narrative of his travels and ministry.  And, unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke, this fourth Gospel relates no details of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist.   We are simply to understand that the witness of John the Baptist – “the voice crying in the wilderness” – is preparation for the coming of the One on whom the spirit descends and remains, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.  The writer of John’s Gospel is witness to the One on whom the spirit has descended at his baptism and remains throughout his ministry.  The baptism, which we studied and celebrated last week, sets the course for the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

“What are you looking for?” Jesus turns and says to the two disciples who are following him.  But, the startled response of Andrew and his companion leads us to believe that the expectations of these two disciples were as yet misdirected and quite obscured.  “Rabbi,” they exclaim.  The term Rabbi translates simply as teacher.  This first impression response from these two, who would eventually give their lives to following Jesus, indicates their very limited interpretation of who Jesus is.  This is only the beginning; they have no conception of the true dynamics of Jesus’ presence on earth.  Of course, they are not yet prepared for the life-altering, redefining of the cosmos that was to come as the result of Jesus coming into their midst.

Andrew is known primarily as the brother of Simon Peter.  Yet, today, nearly every coastal town has a church of St. Andrew; he is the patron saint of Scotland (and golfers); our Episcopal shield and the Union Jack include his flag – the white diagonal cross on the blue field.

Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, is credited as the first to alert his brother Simon Peter of Jesus’ unique presence.  Our lesson tells us that, with confidence, Andrew said to Peter, “We have found the Messiah.”   Later, in John’s Gospel account, we learn that it is Andrew who finds the boy with the loaves and the fishes among the crowd of 5,000; another mention in John’s Gospel reports that Andrew joins the fellow disciple Philip in bringing Gentiles into the ministry of Jesus Christ.  Andrew is known for his loyalty and compassion; he is defined as a seeker.

Surely, Andrew and his fellow disciple of our Gospel account sensed something very different about this man about whom John the Baptist had testified – the Lamb of God, the one on whom John the Baptist himself had seen the Spirit descend and remain, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.  They and we would come to know that Jesus is much more than a “Rabbi,” a teacher – a term that severely limits our expectations of Jesus’ earthly mission.  Certainly, Jesus is a great teacher – and we will see much evidence of his teaching, particularly in our study of Matthew’s Gospel as this year unfolds.

Not until after the crucifixion, resurrection, and Ascension of Christ – not until after the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost did the disciples come into full understanding of what they were looking for when they first were called to follow Jesus Christ.  For Andrew and the other disciples, it was a lifelong epiphany – a lifelong struggle – a lifelong search with faith and diligence – little by little until their dying day, they must have heard Jesus’ question, “What are you looking for?”  And, they took up their call to help others answer that question.

As in our account of the calling of the first of Jesus’ disciples, we too are attracted to Jesus’ presence among us.  He turns, sees us following, and asks, “What are you looking for?”  With feeble understanding, we express curiosity in his mission.  We’d like some definite answers as to where he might lead us if we follow.  But, quite simply, Jesus says, “Come and see.”  Quite simply, Jesus says, “Don’t let you limited understanding or lack of certainty inhibit your growth in ministry and spirituality.  Have faith.  Trust. Come and see.”  Open yourself fully and completely to the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

What are you looking for?  Like these first disciples, unless and until we seek, with all intention and sincerity, the answer to that question, our worship and mission remain empty – our spiritual life remains unfulfilled.  It is a lifelong epiphany, a lifelong struggle, a lifelong search with faith and diligence, little by little, until we are united fully with Jesus Christ as He leads us, perfected, into his Kingdom.

Extra-biblical historical writings tell us that Andrew requested the diagonal cross for his martyrdom; death came more slowly on this type cross than that on the Roman Cross on which our Lord was crucified.  Andrew sought to have his suffering on the cross prolonged that he might have more time to preach the truth of Jesus Christ to his murderers.  Until the very end of his earthly life, Andrew was a seeker, seeking to answer that very first question of Jesus in their very first encounter, “What are you looking for?” Andrew heeds Jesus’ command seeking, seeking, seeking – until the very end of his earthly life, as he died so slowly on the cross that would come to be his symbol, beckoning all within his voice to “Come and see.”

Jesus, himself, asks us, “What are you looking for?”   Jesus, himself, beckons, “Come and see.”

Amen