In my first position as a Rector, we had a wonderful facilitator for one of our Vestry Retreats.  The first question she asked is for us to tell her what we love about our church.  Everyone thought for a minute and then slowly we shared stories of what brought us to the church, what was meaningful, or what keeps us coming back.  It was a quiet, thoughtful conversation, as people really pondered why we were there.  Then the retreat leader asked us to tell her about the best meal we ever ate.  Well, the mood of the room totally flipped, and people’s faces lit up as they described succulent meals, decadent desserts, and mouthwatering food experiences.  We laughed and delighted in the stories as people gesticulated their enthusiasm and were almost tripping over one another as we remembered other amazing meals we have had.

Once we settled down, the facilitator asked us to note the total difference in our descriptions between what we love about our church and what we love about the best food we ever ate.  The question was not meant to shame us (though we did feel a little sheepish), but to help us see how blocked we sometimes get when talking about our love for our church.  Clearly, we have the capacity to witness – albeit to witness to an amazing meal.  But something about culture mores or maybe a history with a bad evangelism encounter makes us much more reticent to invite others into our joy.

I have been thinking about that hesitancy or inability this week as I read our gospel story today.  Although we always call him John the Baptist, one scholar suggests that in John’s gospel, John the Baptist really should be called John the Witness:  because that’s the emphasis of the fourth gospel – not John’s work of baptizing, but John’s work of witnessing to Jesus’ identity.[i]  In the portion of the fourth gospel we read today, John the Witness is a little like someone raving about the best thing they ever ate.  We are told that after the officials spend time inquiring about John’s identity, the next day, John is found shouting after the approaching Jesus, “‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”  John’s cheerleading continues the next day when he sees Jesus again and says, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”  John is so passionate about Jesus that even John’s followers drop John and follow after Jesus:  a result of which I have to believe John is wholly supportive.

Now I imagine you are sitting there, tensing up a bit, waiting for me to tell you to go get a megaphone and some pom poms because we have some witnessing to do!  The good news is your only partially right.  Here is what I know.  You came here today (either in person or online) for a reason.  Maybe this community helps you find a sense of purpose and meaning.  Maybe this community brings you a sense of comfort and belonging.  Maybe this community is helping you find you way to or enrich your relationship with Jesus.  Whatever the reason, that reason is your witness.  That reason is this beautiful, sacred thing, that when you do not share with others is like refusing to give a gift to others.  I know you may feel awkward, or like you don’t have “holy enough” words, or that you might even be rejected or disdained.  The truth is your words do not even really matter when you are witnessing – what will matter is the way your face transforms when you talk about how this place has impacted your walk with God.  And if using the word witness makes your stomach tense, then use the word invitation.

So, your invitation today is to begin embracing a practice of invitation.  Maybe you have no qualms pulling out that megaphone and pom poms for Jesus like John the Witness.  Maybe you will be you will be like Andrew in our passage today and drag your brother or friend along with you to church with a forceful, “Come on!”  Or maybe your invitation will be as soft as Jesus’ to the new disciples asking questions, who simply says, “Come and see.”[ii]  Someone in your own journey did that for you.  Maybe a long time ago or maybe very recently.  Maybe their words were loud and proud or maybe they were soft and encouraging.  But something in their countenance changed that made you want to see more.  Our invitation today is to share that same light with others, inviting them to come and see this place where you invest your time, your gifts, and your treasure.  Your invitation is to not hoard the gift of this place, but to share the gift of this place and your faith with others.  Amen.

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[i] Karline M. Lewis, John:  Fortress Bibilcal Preaching Commentaries (Minneapolis:  Fortress Press, 2014), 27.

[ii] Greg Garrett, “Homiletical Perspective,” Feasting on the Word, Yr. A, Vol. 1 (Louisville:  Westminster John Knox Press, 2010), 265.