Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 4, 2014 -
[1 John 3:7-10 and John 1:35-42]Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "Where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.
There are really no "throw-away" lines in the Gospel of John! There is a lot of "word-play," and it helps to know when this happens, even if we can derive great benefit without being experts! Today we have the charming scene of the two disciples who "follow" Jesus and suddenly Jesus turns and asks the very important question: "What are you looking for?" We could spend a whole retreat answering that question! But the disciples respond with an important question of their own: "Rabbi....where are you staying?" Here, our English language can betray us. The Greek verb, menein, means more than occupying a space somewhere. It has more the meaning of "abiding" with someone. Relationship enters the picture. Perhaps when we ask someone, "Won't you come and stay with me?" we are showing hospitality and not just providing space. So, the disciples move from hearing John the Baptist's testimony, to "following" Jesus, to "staying" with Jesus and then to proclaiming him to others! Jesus' response to their question: "Come and you will see!" could give us enough for another retreat!
The old hymn, "Abide with me!" catches some of the meaning! I hope we can spend some time just "abiding" with this passage from the Gospel of John. Jesus' question, "What are you looking for?" and his response to whatever we might say, "Come and you will see!" could give us much to ponder! AMEN