December 15, 2022
Following Jesus
My beloved child, I have called you to be Jesus in shoe leather here on earth. Show the love of Christ the Messiah to everyone, everywhere you go – for by this all will know that you are My disciples if you have a love for one another.” (John 13:35 NKJV) Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for it is love that covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 NLT) John was standing with two of his disciples as Jesus walked by, and he looked at Him and declared, ‘Look! There is the Lamb of God!”
When John’s two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Jesus looked around and saw them following. ‘What do you want’? He asked them. They replied, ‘Rabbi meaning Teacher,’ ‘where are you staying’? ‘Come and see,’ He said. They went and spent the rest of the day with Him. (John 1:35-39 NLT) When we spend time with Jesus, it is only natural that we want to introduce Him to others so that they can spend time with Him too! Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist, but after he had spent the afternoon with Jesus, he was so enthusiastic he could barely contain his excitement.
Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (meaning Christ). (John 1:40 NLT) Andrew took Simon to meet Jesus. Jesus looking intently at Simon, said, ‘Your name is Simon, son of John, but you will be called Cephas (which means Peter’). (John 1:41-42 NLT) You are invited to bring many to meet Jesus. The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Peter and Andrew’s hometown. Philip was so excited he went to find his brother Nathanael, and when he found him, he said, “we have found the Messiah”! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael.
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel-a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God-the King of Israel! Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth. (John 1:43-51 NLT). Andrew’s time with Jesus teaches us an important message, bringing others to Jesus is not just about preaching, teaching, and helping others. Sometimes it’s a perfect opportunity to introduce others to Him.
