The Lamb of God – John 1:35-42
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. 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. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Kephas” (which is translated Peter).Would you recognize the Lamb of God if He walked by you on the street? How often have we missed opportunities to see the good in the world around us because of the darkness shadowing our lives? Too often we travel through our world wrapped up in our own pain and misery and miss the blessings God has given us.
When I became pregnant with my fifth son, I was so confused. I knew babies were supposed to be blessings, but I knew the baby would “interfere” with how we had planned our lives to go. Add to that how sick the pregnancy made me and the risk we had for complications and I wondered why God had chosen to allow me to be pregnant now?
When my husband announced he was leaving, I thought I must be pregnant because God plans to use that baby to pull my husband back to our family, but as time dragged on and I experienced pregnancy, childbirth, and now toddlerhood without my husband, I know that was not God’s plan. I have a better understanding of God’s patience in allowing each of us to experience free will.
The baby was not meant to pull my husband back to his family, but perhaps he was meant to bring us light and joy in our darkness. The Lamb of God was born as a baby and what a gift this new baby has been as well!
God is always present even in our toughest times, but we have to be ready to look for him, recognize him, and welcome him in to our lives.
This week, I will face the final trial in the divorce I never wanted with a man I no longer recognize, but I will look for and find God in that courtroom and know that no matter what happens, Jesus died to be there for me because I am loved. He will be there for me and, if he asks, Jesus will be there for my husband and his girlfriend too. Jesus did not die just for me but for all sinners and we must continuously welcome him into our lives and keep the doors open for him to work good in others.
Recognize and welcome the Lamb of God into your heart and home today. God Bless… __________________________________________________________
Sunday posts always give that Sunday’s Gospel reading and hopefully offer insight to how the gospel can relate to lives of single parents and those suffering from traumatic experiences.