Today’s Scripture readings:  Psalm 31, 95; Deuteronomy 7.12-16; Titus 2.1-15; John 1.35-42

Today’s Writer:  Ollie Hoig

Bishop Robert F. Morneau concludes the introduction to his Not by Bread Alone: Daily Reflections for Lent 2013 with these sentences: “The journey of Lent is focused on participating more deeply in the life of Christ. Having a game plan might well foster that participation.”

In our Gospel reading for today, John 1:35-42, two of John the Baptist’s disciples begin to follow Jesus, who had just been pointed out to them as “the Lamb of God” by their teacher. Jesus asks them what they are looking for and they inquire “Teacher, where are you staying?” Jesus says “Come and see.”

Now, I don’t think those guys really suspected that Jesus was staying at the local 4-star hotel or some fancy palace or even some hipster hangout where it was cool to be seen. In all likelihood they were probably caught off-guard when Jesus turned to them and asked, “What do you seek?” I’ll bet one of them blurted out the first thought that came into his head.

Three seemingly simple words spoken by the Lamb of God, “Come and see,” are far from what sounds like a simple response to a simple question. Instead they are an invitation to journey, to focus. By responding to the invitation of Jesus, they (and we) begin to participate in the life of Christ and the revelation of God’s Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Their (and our) game plan at that moment became: Journey with Jesus and participate in His life while allowing God’s Spirit to allow you to truly see heaven, the Kingdom of God, breaking forth within and around you. Ready? Set. “Come and see.”