“Seeing and Perceiving”
Original sermon given on The Second Sunday After Epiphany, Sunday, January 18, 2026 written and delivered by Pastor Jeff Leininger at First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Watch the sermon live.
“Seeing and Perceiving”
John 1.29-41
In the name of the Living God and the Christ who has appeared to us. Amen.
It is one thing to see, it is another thing to perceive. It is one thing to merely look-at; it is another thing to behold. A couple is driving down the interstate heading west. He exclaims, “Look at that Sunset”. If they’ve had a long, grouchy day together, she might say one of two things: either, “don’t tell me what to do”, or perhaps rather smartly, “what do you mean, “look at it? I’ve been staring at it for hours!” Well, to take his side for a moment, what he means by “look at it”, is “take it in, register its beauty, measure its impact, mark its significance. Don’t just let the light waves hit your optic nerves and by means of some electro-chemical report it to the brain. Let the sight of this sunset somehow also pass through your heart and soul!” If we all still spoke King James, he’d of had a much better way of expressing himself. He should have said, “Behold, the sunset!” See how much better life would be if we just all spoke King James?
Whether it’s a beautiful sunset, a fine piece of Art, or new baby child in the family, we all know the difference between simply looking at something and perceiving its significance. In fact philosophers and poets will tell us that this is precisely what is unique about the Human spirit. We are able to behold things. And not just through these particular sight organs. But with eyes shut a piece of music can stir the soul; or a spouse holding the last few hours of life in a loved-one’s hand needs no sight of the eye to know what’s happening. No, in fact the most important things in life cannot be “seen” at all, they can only be perceived, or beheld.
This contrast between just “seeing” rather than fully beholding is a play in today’s gospel. Many people had looked at Jesus over the course of the two days covered by the text. In fact, people had looked at him for some 30 years before his public appearance at his baptism. But it is only now, after his baptism and beginning with John the Baptist, when just a few are recognizing, acknowledging, marking the significance of who Jesus really is. From after that appearance of the Magi, who did confess him as Messiah, King, and Yahweh by the gifts they gave, all the way until now, in this gospel text, we are caught in the world of simply looking, and not beholding. Not even Jesus’ family fully understood. The only Biblical record we have of Jesus’ boyhood is a story misperception: Joseph and Mary look for their “lost” boy for three days in Jerusalem, but when they find him in the temple, they don’t have a clue what he’s really about.
True sight begins here, with John the Baptist—and hopefully for us, today, too. John hears the voice of the Father declaring Jesus to be the chosen beloved one, the only son of God. He sees the Spirit descend upon him at his baptism, and now John finally understands fully. Even John, who was Jesus’ own cousin, and who worked to prepare the way of the messiah, admits that he did not really know Jesus. He had looked at him his whole life, but only when the voice of the Father thunders Jesus as the very son of God is John given true sight—this is the one I’ve been preparing people for.
And when John gets it, he bears witness to it. He points to Jesus, and declares “Look”, but don’t just look, “behold”. Have full understanding. Let the sight of this one before you pass not just through your eyes, but through your heart and through your soul, as well. “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Here is the chosen one of God. Here is the Son of God. Here is the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one.” And with this clear confession, another Epiphany occurred in those who believed.
This is the pattern of the growth of the Christian Church, from then, until now. A person recognizes the full significance of who this Jesus is, bears witness to this Lamb of God, and Christ is made manifest in the life of another. John the Baptist testifies to Andrew, who testifies to Simon, who testifies to another, and another, and another. When the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us, and when we are moved by the Spirit beyond simple sight to behold the great significance of the Lamb of God, then we too give our confession. Grace follows. In this way the mission of the church becomes a series of Epiphanies in individuals, worked by the Spirit through the word of God.
There are many people in our world who have seen Jesus—most, actually. He’s in the history books, many speak his name almost every day—if only to curse by—his legacy is in inseparable to Western culture. But the mission of the church is to point to this Jesus and say, don’t just “see”, behold! Understand. This Man who walked the earth was the true messiah, the very son of God. In his death he bore the sins of the whole world, wiping away the power of death and the devil forever. In His life we have true life, and we have it in abundance. By his name we have been given the right to become children of God, and to live eternally with him.
Maybe for you, this morning, too, it’s time to not just look at, but enter into. Not just to talk about, but to talk to, not just to see, but to let the sight of this one John points to, pass also into your heart and soul.
It’s a scary thought, I know. Because life can never be the same again—not with this Jesus, Lamb of God, true Messiah, crucified, risen ascended reigning Lord. Nothing can be the same again, when you behold him—like with John the Baptist, Andrew, Simon, and countless thousands and thousands who gave their lives for this testimony, this Epiphany which enlightened them.
But, if this is true, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, that Christ is indeed the eternal Epiphany, then you have to be one the right side of this, whatever the consequences, however much it costs.
Christ calls us today from mere sight to behold: to follow him wherever he leads, and to know his presence every step of the way.
Come soon Lord Jesus. Amen.
