Sermon - 1/15/23

<p>I am technologically challenged.  Just ask my husband.  I am challenged when operating the TV remote and trying to access various streaming services; I am challenged when trying to show a DVD or connect my computer to the large TV in the Fellowship Hall; and I am challenged when something happens to my computer.  While technological understanding comes very naturally to some (my husband for example), I always find myself befuddled and cannot seem to make sense of what needs to be done.  I have always been one of those people who needs to learn and verify things <strong>experientially</strong>.  I am an <strong>experiential</strong> learner and I usually must seek out someone to show me what to do, how to do it and thereby, through that <strong>experience,</strong> finally understand.</p> <p>Because I am an experiential learner, I appreciate the sequence of events described in today’s gospel reading.  Today we are told of John the Baptist who has the <strong>experience</strong> of baptizing Jesus.  John has the <strong>experience</strong> of seeing the Spirit descend upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and <strong>then</strong> he is able to confidently <strong>point</strong> to Jesus as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  John’s <strong>experience</strong> gave him insight and he could <strong>then</strong> assuredly proclaim who Jesus is.</p> <p>Because of John’s <strong>experience</strong>, two of his disciples decide to follow Jesus to try and learn more about this unusual man.  As they begin following him, Jesus turns to them and we hear the very first words Jesus speaks in the gospel of John.  What is so fascinating is that Jesus’ first words appear in the form of a question as he asks, “What are you looking for?”  Jesus, as he frequently does, uses a question to draw these two men into relationship, into the <strong>experience</strong> of relationship with him.  It is helpful to look at the original Greek when listening to what Jesus asks.  Jesus’ question would be better translated as,