Reflection - Imman'u-el

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010417.cfm
1 John 3:7-10
John 1:29-51

(The thoughts which came to mind as I was reading today's Gospel are best understood in a slightly larger context. Therefore, I have extended that Gospel reading to include verses immediately preceding and immediately following those assigned for today. For that reason I have included the full text immediately following the reflection.)

St. John was not reticent in disclosing the truth that had been made known to him, the truth first experienced in his early life as an Apostle of the historical Jesus and then the truth he had more fully come to comprehend through years of meditation and reflection. While the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are more circumspect in revealing the true nature of Jesus, John announces it boldly from the beginning: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Matthew, Mark and Luke present a man whom his followers ultimately came to realize was God. John begins with a God who has chosen to become a man: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only-begotten Son from the Father."

John also presents those called by the Lord, those who would eventually be known as Apostles, as sincere, but innocent and unsophisticated men of their time. He, himself, is among them. In John's Gospel it is the Baptist who first directs men to Jesus --- "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" --- while unambiguously affirming his own position as merely the herald of the man of God he has anticipated. At first The Baptist is either not heard or not understood. But, when he proclaims it a second time, Andrew and one other move to an encounter Jesus. Both their understanding and their expectations are revealed in their words: "They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" Their words tell us that they believe that John has simply indicated a superior teacher; and their question about where he is staying is just another way of asking "Where do you hold your classes?" 

When Jesus calls Phillip on the following day, something similar happens. 

Phillip runs to find Nathan's-el. "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."  Now, Moses and the prophets foretold one far greater than a man whose greatest claim to fame was that he was from Nazareth and was the son of Joseph. So the skepticism of Nathan's-el --- "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" --- is well expressed. Phillip's declaration to Nathan'a-el as to Jesus' identity is a far cry from John's opening Gospel verse about the Word that has existed from the beginning, the Word that was with God, the Word that was God. 

When Nathan'a-el finally meets Jesus and is told "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathan'a-el answers, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" So, which is it? Is Jesus the Son of God? Is he the King of Israel? Or is he just a Rabbi, a teacher? We ask what meaning there is in Nathan'a-el's words and must conclude that at this moment these expressions are largely hyperbole. To equate 'king,' 'son' and 'teacher' can only be indicative of the limited understanding Nathan'a-el actually has.

Jesus, called the Lamb of God by The Baptist, is, as one might expect, misunderstood in his identity. Even the best of accolades directed toward him in these verses are meaningless in light of the truth. He is: "The true light that enlightens every man." John, our author, understood all of this. He had a lifetime to pray about and ponder all he had experienced in his youth; and he knew that the man he had met in those early years of his life transcended all titles that might be attributed to him.

As I read these words of John and considered their implications, I was drawn to question what my own description of Jesus might be. There are many who will concede that Jesus is a Rabbi, a teacher --- in fact, even a pretty good one. If they approach him at all it is merely to discover his 'opinion,' as if his 'opinion' deserves to be considered along with many others. But you don't give your life for a good opinion.

There are also those who will acknowledge the great things Jesus did in the past; and they are thankful for the blessings that endure even to this day because of him. They willingly place him in the forefront of men of philosophy and science and literature. Given the opportunity, some might even enshrine him with other 'greats' on Mount Rushmore. But you don't surrender your life because of great men.

There are those who call him Savior; and their expression is heartfelt. They cling with certitude to the forgiveness of sins and the opening of heaven's gates.  They are thankful that he came to save us and grateful for the mercy that God has shown. But, even when your salvation is achieved by someone in the past, you don't die for them in the present.

I don't believe any of these delineations of Jesus can appropriately be attributed to John as he struggled to express what we find in his Gospel. Even Jesus' name, given to him by the angel, the name which means "God saves," appears to me inadequate for one who has focused his Gospel in the way that he has. It appears to me that John was far more captivated by the title given Jesus centuries before in the book of Isaiah:  "The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman'u-el." (Isaiah 7:14)

Imman'u-el means God is with us. That was the core, the key, the heart of John's life experience. Yes, like Andrew and Phillip and Nathan'a-el, John knew Jesus as Rabbi. He eventually would know him for his marvelous deeds and wonders. In the end he knew him as Savior. But most of all, John knew Jesus as Imman'u-el, God with us. He knew what it was like to live with God. For that you give your life.

John had not come to appreciate this presence through passive encounters with Jesus on the shores of Galilee or the rolling hills of Judea. He was called by Jesus; and found himself living in the perpetual presence of his God. 

The Apostles knew Jesus as teacher, as great man, even as Savior. But like John, they came to know him as Imman'u-el.

So my question regarding the image I have of Jesus has evolved. 

It is now a question of whether or not I know and appreciate what it is like to live continually in the presence of God.

Is Jesus more than teacher?

More than miracle worker?

More than Savior?

Is he the living presence of God with me?

The Daily Reading With My Extended Verses

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, 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 before me, for he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."

And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven and remain on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

John was standing 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 Christ.

Then he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas," which is translated Peter.

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." 

Now Philip was from Beth-sa'ida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathan'a-el, and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 

Nathan'a-el said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 

Jesus saw Nathan'a-el coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"

Nathan'a-el said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

Nathan'a-el answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 

Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."