John 1 - 9.9.22
Scripture
John 1:41-42
The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
Observation – What does it say?
Andrew was hanging out with John the Baptist when Jesus passed by. John told him, “Look, the Lamb of God!” In that moment Andrew became a follower of Jesus. He literally caught up with Jesus and was following behind him, when Jesus turned around and welcomed him. After spending the afternoon together, the first thing Andrew did was to find his brother and bring him to Jesus.
Understanding – What does it mean?
The first thing we should do when we start following Jesus is to bring others to him.
After one afternoon with Jesus, Andrew was already reaching people and bringing them to him. The same day he chose to follow Jesus, he was bringing others with him! Andrew recognized the simple response we should have to discovering Jesus: Bring other people to him, starting with those you have close relationship with.
Life Application
I long to bring more people to Jesus!
When I first discovered Jesus, I did what Andrew did. I was so excited about God and the way he changed my life, I wanted everyone to know and experience him like I had. So I shared my story with everyone I had relationship with – family members, friends, old friends I used to party with, neighbors. After that initial wave, whenever I’ve had opportunity to form new relationships at work or the gym or wherever, I have had opportunity to share with people my story and encourage them toward Jesus.
But the rate at which I am forming new relationships with people who don’t know Jesus is very slow. My prayer is that God would bless me, and bless us his church, with new connections and relationships with people who don’t yet know him. And, that we would experience the joy of bringing them to Jesus! To the one who loves them, longs to save them, longs to satisfy them and give them life, who will change everything in their lives, in the best way.
-Levi Thompson