What’s the first thing you do?
On immediate reactions, identity and the potential in each of us.
We’re currently taking a look at John 1:35-51.
Last week’s letter asked three major questions:
Do you want Jesus alone? Or do you want Him and something else?
Are you spending enough time with Jesus to actually know Him? To know someone, quality time is key.
Are you truly hungry for more of Jesus? If your answer is a spontaneous yes, check your actions to make sure they align with your answer.
This week we’ll be taking a look at the next 3 verses.
“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 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. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).”
- John 1:40-42 NIV
A few days ago, someone I like and follow on instagram got engaged. The first thing I did after screaming was to send a voicenote to a friend who also really likes this girl. When I watch a nice kdrama or read a new book or just discover something amazing, I have about 3 people in my life that receive a 5 minute voicenote and I tell them to watch or read the same so we can discuss. But when it comes to my faith which is most important, is that my attitude?
•There are many ways people come to know Christ and one of them is by someone else making the introduction and we see this to be case with Andrew. He brought so many people to Jesus. To him, Jesus was the greatest discovery and He couldn’t keep this knowledge to himself.
Who can you say you have brought to Jesus? Not to yourself but to the Lord? How many people have heard you talk about your relationship with Jesus?
The first thing Andrew did after spending time with Jesus was to look for his brother who was probably his best friend.
You know all these amazing things about Jesus, who do you share these things with? When you learn something new about Christ, do you keep it to yourself? When you get access to a resource that can deepen your walk with God, do you share with anyone? Do the people who mean the most to you on earth know how much you value Christ?
•Andrew was beyond convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. I imagine that if he had any form of doubt about this, it would have been quite difficult for him to have gotten Peter to follow him. If you are really convinced about your faith, you will find someone to share it with and you won’t be at peace until you have done so. Whoever really believes something becomes a propagandist for said thing. Think about how you promote the things which you really believe in or love. For example, if you really love music, you won’t listen to anyone who tells you that music has no capacity to provoke deep emotion or if you really believe in fitness, no one will be able to talk you out of the belief that daily body movement is vital.
Do you have a reason for the faith that is within you? If your answer is no, what are you doing about it? Are you reading your Bible to know more? Attending a Bible study? Learning about church history? Asking important questions not with the mind to doubt but with the mind to come to a deeper understanding? If you are not fully convinced about your faith, how can you convince others?
•Peter followed Andrew and when He was brought to Jesus, He got a name change. But this wasn’t just a name change, it was also a change in identity. From Simon to Cephas/ Peter which means rock and truly, it was on this rock of St.Peter that the church was built( This is why the Pope is called the successor of St.Peter). In the same vein, when we enter a new relationship with God, our identity changes. The old man is gone and the new arrives. When people ask you who you are, they are asking for your identity. Is ‘Christian’ one of the first things you say? Or the 5th? Or it doesn’t come up at all? If Jesus truly matters to us, our identity in Him should matter a lot as well and this identity must be our pride and joy.
•Simon was Andrew’s brother, someone’s son, a husband but when Jesus saw Him, He saw behind all that and saw what He could be. And that is the same for us, when Jesus looks at us, He doesn’t just see what we are today but He sees what we can be. He sees our full potential and the best version of ourselves possible. Jesus doesn’t just see actuality, He sees possibility. It is worthy of note that only Jesus can help us reach the great potential for without Him, we can do absolutely nothing. Doesn’t it make sense that the One who sees this great person that you can become helps you become said person?
If God sees this great potential in you, do you see it too? Do you believe that you can be better than you are today? Do you see this same great potential in others? When you look at your neighbors, do you see only what they are today or do you see beyond that to what they can become and achieve?
•Obviously, I like many things about Andrew but his humility stands out. He brought his brother to Jesus and took the back seat as Simon was renamed. From what we know in the gospels, Andrew was content to let his brother take centre stage. All that mattered to him was the fact that the Messiah was here and he wanted to serve Jesus as best He could. Can we say the same of ourselves?
Are we jealous when we introduce others to Christ and they seem to flourish more in their relationship with Him than we? Are we jealous when we have to teach others something and they outdo us? If pride is something you struggle with( I think almost everyone falls into this category), the litany of humility will be a great prayer.
•To conclude, Andrew was always introducing people to Jesus. In less than 24 hours of being a disciple, he had made another.
How many years have you been a disciple of Jesus for? In all those years, how many have you brought to Christ? Do you have a goal concerning this for this year? Maybe 10 people, maybe 5?
Simon was also family to Andrew. So we can say that Andrew found the Messiah and then took this great news home.
Do you speak about Christ in your home? Do your parents, siblings, partner, children, cousins know about Christ? Or rather, do you begin evangelization from your own home?
Writing the letters on these verses in the book of John have made me ask myself so many questions but I have to say that this week’s letter has been the most convicting. Examining my heart as I’ve typed has made me realize the amount of work that needs to be done and that is a bit daunting. Daunting but not discouraging because I do not have to do the work on my own. The Holy Spirit is right by my side to help me and I believe He is with you too and will help you.
I’m rooting for you, always.
🕯️Bible verses of the week:
•But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.”
-1 Peter 3:15 AMP
•“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
-2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
🖋️Quote of the week:
Many through wishing to be great
have failed to be good:
they were not content to adorn the lowly stations
which the Lord appointed them,
and so they have rushed at grandeur and power;
and found destruction where they looked for honour.
-Commentary on Psalm 131:1 via biblehub.
In case you missed last week’s letter, read it here:
We pray for the grace so that when we are asked about who we are, we can proudly proclaim to be Christians without feeling odd. Thank you
Wow!! Convicting!♥️