Mayer, George E.

English

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 17Issue 1 Adult Education Article 145-1-1991Why are we hereGeorge E. MayerFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Sermons is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationMayer, George E. (1991) "Why are we here," Consensus: Vol. 17 : Iss. 1 , Article 14.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol17/iss1/14Why Are We Here?George E. MayerPastor, Christ Lutheran Church,Waterloo, OntarioText: John 1:29-41Why are we here? What are we looking for? What do weseek?There are probably as many answers to these questions asthere are people in this room.Why are we here? “Mom and Dad said so. We have a greatchoir. I think we have a ‘nice’ pastor. It’s convenient. I’vealways been a Lutheran and this is the closest church.“Something is missing from my life, so maybe you can helpme find it. I like the liturgy; it feels comfortable. The pastorsaid I have to be here if I want to be confirmed. I wantedto find out about the refugees and what we’re doing to helpthem.”Why are we here? Some say, “We like a pastor who makeshouse calls.” Others believe we have a good nursery for theirinfants. Some like the ample parking lot. Some that we are agrowing church, and they like to be amongst people where alot is happening.When I asked this question, “Why are you here?” in aformer parish I received the following response:Pastor, I want to be honest with you. I hope you w'on’t be offended.But this is the honest truth why I’m here. I work hard all weekmanaging a business in which people are always making demandson me. They ask me questions, bother me with petty time wasters,make stupid demands, and tax my capacities to the limit. Then Igo home to my three small children and the demands pile up allover again on different levels. Defend one child against a neighbourkid, help another with homework, drive the third to another lesson.146 Consensusdo the shopping, laundry, cleaning, cooking, maintaining. I cometo church because it is the only quiet time I get in the whole weekto think my own thoughts. No one is going to bother me, ask me aquestion, make a demand while you’re preaching for twenty minuteson Sunday morning.“What are you looking for?” are the first words spokenby Jesus in John’s Gospel. They are spoken by him to twofollowers of John the Baptist.These two had been told whom to look for—Jesus, the lambof God who bears the sins of the world. These disciples of Johnhad probably heard of lambs before, but for use in templeworship as a ritual sacrifice to God in thanksgiving for whatGod had already done in their people’s history. But what couldit possibly mean for John to refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God?That sounded strange.So, being curious, they turned and began following Jesus.Jesus sensed they were there. In the midst of their questions,they were questioned by Jesus, “What do you seek? What areyou looking for?”Taken by surprise, perhaps, they ask a question in return.“Teacher, where are you staying?”It was a tentative and safe approach. They could haveasked, “Who are you? What are you about? What did Johnmean by sending us to you? We want to be convinced you’resomeone special; what do you have to offer?”In response, Jesus issues an invitation: “Come and see!”He didn’t say, “I have all the answers,” or, “I have a prop-erly considered theological position,” or, “Don’t bother me,”or, “What are you really asking?”Jesus said, “Come and see.”Spend some time with me.My life and my house are open to you.I offer hospitality.Come and make up your own mind.You’re curious about where I live? I won’t give you a callingcard to give you an objective answer. I’ll invite you over soyou’ll know from the inside where I am.So, they get some exposure time with Jesus. Our text saysthey spent the rest of the day with him. We don’t know whatWcLS said, what questions were asked or answered, how longWhy Are We Here? 147into the night they visited. We don’t know whether they hada meal, or how many others were there.We do know there were two results from that visit withJesus. A discovery was made; the discovery was shared.The discovery was, “ We have found the MessiahrAndrew couldn’t wait. The first thing he did was go to hisbrother Simon and bring him to Jesus. To Jesus:The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.The one on whom the Holy Spirit of God descended andremained.The Son of God.The teacher.The questioner.The inviter. .. of infinite hospitality.The Christ: the Messiah.The person who will lead us to God.Why are we here? What are we looking for?Like those first followers, perhaps someone toldrected us to come here.It’s a welcoming place to be curious.There are some people here who’ve found GodAnd that is something worth sharing.Why are you here?Come and see Jesus...and discover the Christ of God.us, or di-in Jesus.

Why are we here

Scholars Commons

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1920&amp;context=consensus

Why are we here

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Wilfrid Laurier University

Scholars Commons