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This text from John reminds me how important it is to try to make scripture understandable to our audience—and how long that has been true! Three times in this passage, the gospel writer offers translations of his own terms: “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher) … the Messiah (which is translated Anointed) … Cephas (which is translated Peter).”
It can feel daunting to interpret scripture to a postmodern audience in a post-mainline world. One of the best compliments I’ve received came from a church member, Rose Helm, who heads a renowned private school in our city. She had just delivered an amazing speech at the start of the year. When I complimented her, she said, “You are too kind! I could never do what you do! Somehow you are able to make meaning of a text that was written 2,000 years ago and connect it to our lives today.”
But this text from John also shows how important it is to see others clearly, as Jesus does. When two of John the Baptist’s disciples follow Jesus, he asks them, “What are you looking for?” When Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus, Jesus looks and says, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas”—a rock. When Jesus sees Philip, he says, “Follow me.” And when Jesus sees Nathanael coming near, Jesus says, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael, whether skeptical or astonished, asks where Jesus got to know him. “I saw you under the fig tree,” Jesus says. Again and again, Jesus sees people as they are.
I wish I had that gift! What especially touched me about Rose’s address to her students was how she sees them so clearly—and encourages them to be seen. She said,
This summer, some of you may have seen—or at least heard the soundtrack for—the hit animated movie KPop Demon Hunters. The heroes are K-pop stars by day and demon hunters by night. By the end of the movie, the main characters learn not to hide who they are—they embrace themselves and each other fully. Their power comes from showing their full, authentic selves.
It can be hard to know how to connect with people, especially in these politically fraught times. But there is gospel—good news—anyway. Whatever our culture, God speaks our language. And whoever we are, Jesus sees us, just as we are: our full, authentic selves.
