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What can I compare life to?
Many things can be used to compare life. Life is like a journey. You can say life is like a race. Sometimes life is like a drama. So we say, one chapter of life is over.
Or, life is like a mist. That was the metaphor James used.
Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)
There are many metaphors you can use to describe life. As you read today’s scripture, what metaphor comes to your mind?
For me, this metaphor came to my mind.
Life is like a magnet and steel. Your life is pulled towards what pulls you.
There is a power that draws us. Your desires and passion, your mind and your heart move towards what draws you.
That is what I see in today’s passage.
You see two disciples. One is Andrew and the other is unknown. People say that it is the disciples who wrote this Gospel, John. But we don’t know.
They were both the disciples of John the Baptist. They saw Jesus and they were drawn to him. They didn’t know who Jesus was.
John the Baptist simply said he was the Lamb of God and I don’t think they understood what he meant by it. But they just followed Jesus.
The two disciples heard him (John the Baptist) say this, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:37)
It was like a magnet that attracted steel. Their conversation reveals this.
When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38)
Jesus asked, “What are you looking for?” The disciples didn’t know what they were looking for.
Like many of us. Like the song by U2, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” The disciples did not know what they were looking for.
To Jesus’ question, they answered with this.
Rabbi, where are you staying? (John 1:38)
That was a strange answer. Jesus asked what they were looking for. And they answered, where are you staying?
But when you consider their answer, what they were saying is: We don’t know what we are looking for, but we want to be where you are. Like a magnet and steel, Jesus drew them to himself.
Jesus told them, “Come and See.”
Come and See. That is a powerful phrase.
When they come to Jesus, then their eyes will be open, and they will be able to see what they are looking for. In a short phrase, a deep meaning is hidden.
To John, the word “come” is a special word. It is a spiritual word.
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)
No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise that person up on the last day. (John 6:44)
Also, the word “see” is a spiritual word to John. See, believe, and know are used interchangeably.
Then Andrew went out and brought Simon.
He said this.
We have found the Messiah. (John 1:41)
“Come and see” happened to Andrew. He came and found what he was looking for. He came and his eyes were open, and he was able to see that Jesus was the Messiah.
Now Jesus saw Simon and immediately knew that he would be the one who would carry the church after he was gone.
You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas”(which is translated Peter). (John 1:42)
Cephas, Peter – Rock. Peter carried the early church.
Even though St. Paul wrote so many books and did so many missions, it was Peter who carried the church. That’s why even Popes don’t dare to name themselves Peter. We have a few Paul and John Paul, but not Peter.
What is going on in this passage is fantastic. They all realized there was a special power that attracted them. And John wanted to capture that.
They followed Jesus not by their volitional will. They followed Jesus because there was a power that attracted them.
My friends, there is a power that pulls us.
That was what happened to me. It was my second year at U of T. I was actively involved in a Christian group on campus called KIVCF.
I strongly sensed that there was a power that moved in history. And that power also pulled me. That’s how I entered into ministry. I was scared, but the power was too strong.
Life is not just carrying on whatever is given to us. Or whatever you plan. Life is about following the greater power that pulls you.
That is calling. This calling gives you a purpose. You become excited about living out your calling.
Life is a calling. Life is like a magnet and steel.
When we find our calling, our life will be different. We do not follow on our own volition, but we follow because we are so excited to follow. That is like finding passion.
Jesus is calling us even now. Open your eyes to your world around you. There may be something that attracts you and inspires you.
Are there things that you lose yourself in doing? Are there things that make your passion come alive?
Life is not about just making dry choices. Life is about finding what pulls you.
Jesus is constantly calling you through many different things around you. Have a quiet moment and see what is pulling you. What are you drawn to?
For me, these days, “Surrender”. Do not worry about anything – just surrender.
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