Pure Gold

“King Jesus Is All” is one of my favorite songs from the camp where I grew up spending my summers (Camp Winnataska). The male staff members would “sing” it, or rather scream it on Saturday mornings right before the campers were sent home. While serving on staff I loved the song because it was so energizing, but now I love the lyrics for another reason.

“King Jesus is all (King Jesus is all)!

My all in all (My all in all)!

I know he’ll answer (I know he’ll answer)!

Me when I call (Me when I call)

Walking by my side (Walking by my side)!

I’m satis-fiiii-ied (I’m satisfied)!

King Jesus is all (King Jesus is all)!

My all in all (My all in all)!”

 “Weeellllllllll!

“I went out to meet the Lord (Oh yeah)!

I got down on my knees (Oh yeah)!

I prayed my best prayer,

And the Holy Ghost met me there!

I stepped on the Rock,

The Rock was sound,

And the Love of Lord Jesus came tumbling down

The reason I know

HE SAVED MY SOUL

I dug down deep and I found pure gold

And He’s all

King Jesus is all…”

Repeat

(Music and lyrics unverified in public domain)

These words describe enthusiastically a moment of conversion. Of course, not all times when our beings shift look like this, or happen like this. We might not even want to call it conversion, we might call it when we remember meeting God for the first time or the time when we really meant what we prayed. Still we do not all meet Jesus when we break down and fall on our knees—yes, that is a great place to find him. We might happen upon God when we are out in Creation, when we hear a tear-wrenching song, after we struggle through a period of faithlessness, or a million other moments that change the course of our lives. And yet, I think the best line in this song about conversion is one of its last. “I dug down deep and I found pure gold.” But, we’ll come back to that line in a moment. For now, let’s look at the moment of conversion in our Gospel lesson.

In today’s Gospel lesson we hear John the Baptist describing the Baptism of Jesus—an affirming moment of conviction for John—but, then the story goes on to depict Andrew and another one of John’s disciples being curious about who this Jesus person was. When Jesus noticed these men following him he asked them, “What are you looking for?” The first word out of their mouths gave away their deep desire, as they said, “Rabbi,” which of course, means teacher. They were looking for someone to awaken them, to help them learn about God, and maybe even to help them know that God knows them and loves them fully.

Strangely enough they followed up their acknowledgment that Jesus was a teacher with an odd question. “Where are you staying?” they asked. I find this question puzzling. Maybe it would be better if it were translated more existentially, “Teacher, where are you being?” as in show us how to be like you. While that is probably what they meant Jesus responded in the most gracious way imaginable, “Come and see!” How perfect! Jesus’ first disciples were received not by confessing a lengthy creed, not by adhering to a list of dogmas, nor by being asked to complete any sort of cultic rituals. Rather, the Word made flesh called his first disciples by an invitation to be curious!

Jesus modeled for us the way to draw in others into the life of Christ in this simple phrase. Evangelism used to be a scary word in the Episcopal Church. For some, it still is. However, now that we have a Presiding Bishop in Michael Curry who yearns for us to take hold of our identity as a distinct part of the Jesus Movement the E-word is no longer a dirty one. Still we are getting our bearings as to how we do this, like baby deer taking their first awkward steps we are learning our way. The head of our movement, that is Christ Jesus, made evangelism simple: “Come and see!”

Come and see what is going on in Jesus’ ministry in this part of the world. Come and see what God has in store for us. Come and see that God’s work is being done here and now. When people are skeptical about what we do as Episcopalians and members of St. John’s, we can very easily say, “Come and see!” This can be what we share with others when they want to know more about life in Christ. Come and see! Come and see what is happening in my life. Come and see what God is doing in this ministry that I love. Come and see the Church living, breathing, and thriving at the Burning of the Greens! Come and see the great work of the Outreach Grants Committee! Come and see a church that is growing in number, in generosity, in faith, and in action!

And yet, this invitation from Jesus is not just one about the external works that we do here at St. John’s or in the Church Universal. To return to that song lyric, “The reason I know that he saved my soul/Is I dug down deep and I found pure gold,” the journey to which Jesus invites us is not simply about building onto our beautiful church. Yes, that is very much part of it, but it’s more than that. Throughout our Capital Campaign we challenged each other to see this as an opportunity to grow spiritually. And if we did not grow in this way the campaign would be a failure. We may be shifting into a different phase post-campaign, but the invitation remains.

Today, tomorrow, and always Jesus invites us to come and see. Come and see the pure gold shining within your own soul. Spend some time dwelling inside yourself digging deep down to reveal the relationship with Christ that already is! We have difficulty in our culture doing any sort of interior work. We would rather be active, going, and doing, but part of our journey with Jesus calls us to meet God within our own souls. Sabbath, Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, the Daily Office, Solitude, Retreats, Walking/Hiking/Running, and so many others are vehicles to help us find that inner gold. There is no one-size-fits-all spirituality, but there are countless ways to meet Jesus within. This is the place where we may very well be converted into a more mature disciple.

Jesus says, “Come and see.” We are invited not just to be evangelists who call others to come and see what we are doing here, but we are also called to plumb the depths within ourselves. How will you dig down deep and find the pure gold that already exists within you? How will you heed Jesus’ call to come and see even within your own heart? Dig down deep and find pure gold, because he’s all, King Jesus is all, our all in all and he invites each of us to come and see!