Second Sunday after The Epiphany - January 18, 2026

Summary

In this Epiphany sermon based on John 1:29-42, Suzanne explores how John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." She shares a personal story about encountering pain at her son's basketball game and finding God's presence through a dancing butterfly, illustrating how God often reveals himself in small, overlooked moments rather than mighty displays.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              John 1:29-42

John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “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.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he 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 see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). 

Artwork: Agnus Dei, by Jose Campeche y Jordan (1806-1809)

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Transcript

Epiphany 2 Year A

John 1:29-42

      Our gospel lesson picks up after John has made it clear that there’s one coming after him who’s much greater.  And when he laid eyes on him….when he saw Jesus coming towards him, without hesitation, he speaks: “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”.  This is the one who I told you about:  After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he existed before me”. Even from the time of their births, it seems that John was making this announcement…pointing to one who was to come after him.  

      This isn’t always the order in which we believe greatness to come is it?  So often there’s the notion that being the first is what sets one apart and makes for importance.  But this isn’t what we see with John and Jesus, nor in many parts of the biblical narrative.  

      John clearly sets out to define the first and second in a new way…he knows his place, he knows he’s the forerunner and most of all with humility, he recognizes the one who holds the proper place.  For John, Jesus is beyond special or unique…He’s everything…He’s all that has been hoped for. And John knows that he is not…

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      And this is what John is doing—pointing others to the Light. It’s poignant to me in epiphany, a season of unveiling and finding light, we have stories from scripture about this.  What’s even more moving is how those scriptures can intersect in our own lives.    

      Just yesterday inside a gym, this happened for me.  As we all know there are things in life we have no control over, our only control is how we respond…and as a priest, I’m not immune to the hardships life brings…I’m no different than anyone else in that way…

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      Like showing up to watch your 10-year-old play basketball on a Saturday morning—and within minutes of walking into the gym seeing a person that’s brought so much pain.  Wanting to turn around and walk out so as to not have to face the hurt, to feel the pain, to share space.  

      It’s feeling your stomach drop, your palms and armpits begin to sweat and an overwhelming sense of just wanting to run…so far away.

      In a paralyzing moment of pain and discomfort, an act of grace, or an inbreaking of light comes and I remember why I am here—to be my 10-year old’s mom—to take a seat on the front row—to watch my boy play…And to cheer him on through tears.

        It’s choosing to stay when all you want to do is run…because I feel small and vulnerable…but, an inbreaking of light comes, and I chose to hold my chin up, smile, clap and stay until the game is over.  

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        When walking back to my car after the game, the tears came.  The grief came.  And the reality of my new norm hit like a ton of bricks.  Once home, I grabbed the leash and Ziva and we walked as we always do—I was absorbed in worry and sad thoughts, and out of nowhere a butterfly made her way to me…she was fluttering and dancing—I felt as though she was saying “hey, there—look up.  Look at me!”.  

      I watched with delight and stunned awe.  I couldn’t help but thank God and smile--for breaking in with epiphanal light…through a butterfly, it was almost as if God said—Suzanne, I know that is hard, I will be with you.  Reminding me of the promise of Epiphany…that when our hearts and minds are ready, we can’t miss it…we can’t miss Him and all the ways He comes to us…

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      Often the way God shows himself to us isn’t in BIG and mighty things…God is often made manifest in simple and small ways…things that are often overlooked maybe not even noticed…

      Perhaps it’s just looking up and seeing a butterfly dance—10 seconds to simply be reminded that you’re seen…even when you feel small and surrounded by all those feeling you thought you had let go of and poof, they’re right back with you… 

      And this is where the epiphanal breaking in comes for me…and where Johns’ words about Jesus hit home…get ready, John says…”the one who is able to transform, to make all things better has come…He’s arrived. He is here”  

      Life will never be the same again because the Messiah is in our midst. Again, when eyes and hearts are ready, you just can’t miss it.  You just can’t miss Him in your midst…He’s making His way to you…and to me…

      So, I ask today, what will it take for your eyes and heart to be open and welcoming to the Messiah who is here?  Maybe you’re like me—being faced with a terrible situation and trying to make the best out of it—despite how hard and displeasing it is…

      Will it take tragedy for you look for God?  Will it take losing a job, a mate, a dream, your health?  

      Or maybe you’re one who goes about your day and expect…that the in-breakings of God will come…the gentle nudges that remind us that we’re not alone…sometimes in the form of people, other times in a dancing butterfly who flutters next to you as you walk your dog….

      These kinds of in-breakings are our own John the Baptist moments when we can say…This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world…He is the Messiah and He is with me.

       Like John the Baptist, we too, can have powerful aha, awakening moments where we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus has been sent by God to do what no other can…save us from ourselves, teach us how to love, provide peace in the midst of life storms, give strength we never knew we had…

      If only we, like John the Baptist can say, believe and see that He is the Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 

      This week, ask God to help you keep your eyes and hearts open to the epiphanies He wants to show you…that He wants you to notice.  They will come…you will be surprised and you will just know…You will know that you are being cared for by a Savior who Sees you…who believes in you and who will never leave.