Jesus Calls the First Disciples
This past Sunday we read John 1:6-8 and 19-28 and saw how John the Baptist gave witness to the Light of Christ and how we are called to do the same. We give witness to the Light of Christ when we obey his commandment to love one another. It means that we give witness to Christ when we show compassion for the poor and the vulnerable. It means that our service to others in the name of Christ is very much like John's preaching in the wilderness. It might not have seemed like preaching at all for John in the beginning because there was nobody there to hear him preach. But when John was faithful to his calling to cry out in the wilderness, God blessed his ministry and people came out to hear him in droves. If you are faithful to your calling to witness to Christ in loving service to another, God will bless your ministry.
You see, the light of Christ is within you and shines through you to others whether you are aware of it or not. The Light of Christ ministers to others through you. The wonderful historical novelist and Christian, Eugenia Price put it this way: "If Christ lives in us, controlling our personalities, we will leave glorious marks on the lives we touch. Not because of our lovely characters, but because of His."
Indeed, our lives speak loudly for or against Christ. We bear witness for or against Christ every day in everything that we do. Most people won't ever read the Bible, and most won't ever step foot inside a church. You may very well be the only scripture or the only church that they encounter in their lives. They cannot help but notice how we live – how we love – and how we serve one another – in our kindness, compassion, generosity, hospitality, grace, mercy.
This coming Sunday we will read John 1:35-42 where Jesus calls the first disciples and see what we, as Christians, are called to be doing during turbulent and uncertain times such as these. I look forward to seeing you again this Sunday!
Peace of Christ,