THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Year B: “Following”
Sermon Series Back 2 the Basics
January 14, 2024
John 1:43-51. Following Jesus Discipleship Basics
1:43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."
”The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”“
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https://bible.com/bible/3523/jhn.1.43-46.NRSVUE
Black churches were born out of political and social resistance, with enslaved African-Americans organizing around a theology that God would deliver them from their oppression.
With all that is going on around social justice, churches must calibrate what that means for them in the present.
Churches have to ask the fundamental question: Are we going to be at the forefront of struggles for justice, or are we always going to be catching up to where the arc of justice will literally take us?
Black pastors hold a storied place in American history. During the eras of slavery and racial segregation, they played pivotal roles in Black communal efforts to “uplift the race” (a phrase commonly used in the 19th and 20th centuries). This often included organizing job training, after-school mentoring, insurance collectives, athletic clubs, and other community service programs through their churches in addition to leading protests against racial discrimination.
The achievements of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other clergy during the civil rights movement rank among the most celebrated efforts in this realm.
Indeed, King’s successes are so well known that they may have fostered a misperception that all Black clergy were bold civil rights activists. In reality, many Black clergy did not support King’s approach during his lifetime. Still, it is clearly the case that King and a number of other Black pastors played central roles in the civil rights protests of the 1950s and 1960s, and that they are remembered today for their personal courage and effective leadership.
“The one thing that would be dishonorable for us is to bring all this attention to the assassination of Dr. King and not have a resurrection of the efforts and the unfinished business dealing with systemic racism, systemic poverty,” Rev Dr. William Barber said.
Even in Dr. King’s day, black churches were not unified. Many did not follow Dr. King and stayed on the sidelines.
• Some worried about attracting violent backlash.
• Some preferred a more gradualist approach.
• Similar tensions remain in the fight for his legacy.
The Rev. Traci Blackmon, an executive with the United Church of Christ, a Protestant denomination, and the leader of a church near Ferguson, Mo., sees the work that many churches perform, like feeding and housing the poor, as distinct from the advocacy that Black Lives Matter and other organizations like NAACP and Street Justice are doing, she said.
“I’m talking about the organized countermovement that has as its end goal the changing of systems and the dismantling of structures,” said Ms. Blackmon, who was a front-line activist in the wake of the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. “Often, the work that we do on church local levels does not have that as the end goal.”
In John 1:43-51, we witness the call of Nathanael by Jesus. This passage embodies the essence of discipleship within the United Methodist tradition, emphasizing the foundation of following Jesus. Let’s explore three key transition points that illuminate the path of discipleship.
Transition Point 1: Invitation to Follow
Jesus, in verse 43, finds Philip and says, “Follow me.” This simple yet profound invitation signifies the beginning of discipleship. In the United Methodist understanding, discipleship starts with the call to follow Jesus. It’s an invitation extended to each one of us, beckoning us into a transformative journey.
Transition Point 2: The Revelation of Knowing
As Nathanael questions the possibility of anything good coming from Nazareth, Jesus astounds him with divine knowledge. In verses 48-49, Jesus sees Nathanael under the fig tree before Philip calls him. This revelation emphasizes that discipleship involves a deep knowing — a personal encounter with Jesus that goes beyond surface-level understanding. In United Methodism, discipleship is rooted in an intimate relationship with Christ.
Transition Point 3: The Promise of Greater Things
Jesus assures Nathanael that he will see greater things, referencing angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This promise, found in verse 51, speaks to the transformative journey of discipleship within the United Methodist framework. Disciples are called not just to witness but to participate in the greater things of God’s kingdom.
Closing Illustration: The MLK Legacy
In the heart of Montgomery, Alabama, during the turbulent days of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. found himself confronted with a challenging situation that would test his belief in being both a leader and a follower of Jesus Christ.
One evening, as he addressed a crowd advocating for nonviolent resistance, a young woman named Sarah approached him with a heavy heart. She shared the story of her brother, Samuel, who had been a victim of racial violence. Grief-stricken and filled with anger, Sarah sought guidance.
King, aware of the burden he carried as a leader, took a moment to reflect on the teachings of Jesus. He recognized the importance of both leading and following in the footsteps of the compassionate Savior. With empathy in his eyes, King invited Sarah to join him in prayer.
Together, they knelt in the quiet corner of a local church, seeking solace and guidance from the One who had faced oppression and injustice. In that sacred moment, King demonstrated his commitment to being both a leader and a humble follower of Jesus.
The following days saw King actively engaging in peaceful protests, advocating for justice, and standing against racial discrimination. Yet, amidst the chaos, he remained rooted in his faith, acknowledging that true leadership is not about power or prestige but about serving others with love and humility.
In a pivotal sermon, King addressed the crowd with words echoing the teachings of Jesus. He reminded them of the importance of forgiveness, love for enemies, and the transformative power of nonviolence. His leadership was not detached from his faith; rather, it was an embodiment of his commitment to follow the path laid out by Christ.
As the civil rights movement progressed, King faced numerous challenges, including arrests and threats to his life. Through it all, he leaned on his faith, embracing both the role of a leader and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. His legacy reflects the harmonious blend of strength and humility, a testament to the transformative power of faith in the pursuit of justice and equality.
Closing: Embracing the Call
As we reflect on John 1:43-51, let us embrace the call to follow Jesus, seeking a profound knowing that transcends our doubts. United Methodist discipleship invites us into a journey where we witness and participate in the greater things of God’s kingdom. May we, like Nathanael, respond with open hearts to the transformative invitation of discipleship. let us remember that following Jesus is not just a choice but a fundamental tenet of Wesleyan discipleship.
In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., let us embrace discipleship that transforms individuals and communities.
Following Jesus is not a solitary journey; it’s a call to participate in God’s redemptive plan for the world. May we, like Nathanael and Martin King respond to the invitation to follow with open hearts and active engagement in the greater things of God’s kingdom. Amen.
