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John 21 - Come and dine

I grew up with the King James translation of the Bible. Reading today's passage in the New Living Translation just didn't sound right. Some of the majesty, some of the beauty got lost.

John 21:12 "Now come and have some breakfast!" Jesus said. And no one dared ask him if he really was the Lord because they were sure of it.

It is a great picture, to be sure. However, I like the way the KVJ words it better. (Losing the thee-eths and thou-eths)

John 21:12 Jesus said unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples dared ask him, Who are you? knowing that it was the Lord.

That being said, I do like the next verse better in the New Living.

John 21:13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.

Imagine Jesus inviting you to breakfast, He's cooked it, and then He personally serves you. Wow!

Heavenly Father, thank You for a picture of amazing gracious hospitality and kindness. May I live my life similarly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Come and dine. Jan
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John 20 - Insignificant?

Recently I've seen an email circulating on the internet that relates to the resurrection of Jesus. Specifically it deals with the following verses.

John 20:3-9 Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side. Then the other disciple also went in, and he saw and believed—for until then they hadn't realized that the Scriptures said he would rise from the dead.

In verse seven it says that the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded and lying neatly by itself. The result of seeing that folded cloth, verse eight and nine, was that John believed that Jesus rose from the dead. Why?

I think the email I've seen comes from the following source. If it is true, it makes a lot of sense.

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do w/ the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m done”. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it aside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because the servant knew that the folded napkin meant, “I’m not finished yet.” The folded napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=89944&ContributorID=9625

Now lest you think that the folding is immaterial, think about this. If Jesus' body had been stolen, then the cloth would have been discarded in a heap. Whomever stole the body would have been in a hurry and would have quickly lifted it to confirm His identity and then thrown it aside, not taken the time to neatly fold it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for interesting tidbits from Your word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He's coming back. Jan
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John 19 - Mary Cubed

I've mentioned my friend Mark a few times in past dBrags. There are actually three Marks in my life. I call them Mark prime, Mark squared, and Mark cubed. Hey, what can I say? I'm a geek. While they all bear the name Mark, their personalities are as different as night is from day. However, they all have one thing in common, they all love the Lord and faithfully serve Him to the best of their abilities.

Today in our reading I see another prime to cubed progression of an individual. This time it is Mary.

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

There are four women listed as standing by Jesus' cross as He died. Three of them are named Miriam or Mary as we call the name in the West.

Mary, mother of Jesus is most certainly Mary prime. She is the one whom we have to thank as the willing vessel that brought our savior. Mary, wife of Cleophas, is the mother of one of Jesus' apostles, James the less. And Mary from Magdala is reputed to have been an immoral woman, now set on the righteous path. I don't know which of the latter Marys I would classify as squared or cubed, nor does it matter. What is important is that when it mattered the most, they did not desert Jesus. They stood by His side to the very end.

Lord, may we, no matter our numerical designation, be willing to stand with You to the end. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He is Prime. Jan
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John 18 - Full Disclosure

My friend Mark knows the term Full Disclosure quite well. It is a legal term that means to reveal all known issues surrounding a matter. It first came into being in the late nineteen hundreds when locksmiths were keeping from the public the fact that criminals knew how to defeat their locks. The debate raged as to whether disclosing the vulnerabilities would in fact lead to more crime, or revised methods of security.

In today's reading I see Jesus telling his accusers that He has always practiced full disclosure with them.

John 18:20 Jesus replied, "What I teach is widely known, because I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple. I have been heard by people everywhere, and I teach nothing in private that I have not said in public."

Jesus' teachings were quite plain. Yet as Isaiah prophesied, they didn't want to hear.

Isaiah 6:9 And he said, "Yes, go. But tell my people this: 'You will hear my words, but you will not understand. You will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning.'

They were well aware of all that Jesus did. He hid nothing. However, their hearts were hard. Therefore their eyes and ears could not receive.

Heavenly Father, may we bring fallow hearts to You. May we listen and see with understanding. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Listen, Jan
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John 17 - For us

At the end of this chapter is an awesome prayer. It is this passage that give us all a hope and a future.

John 17:20-12 I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.

Jesus prayed for us! He prayed for "all who will ever believe". The hope and future comes in with the words, "so they will be in us." If we are in God, then we are saved - we are home.

Heavenly Father, thank You for this promise in prayer. May I also give others testimony of Jesus. In His name, Amen.

Blessings to you, Jan
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John 16 - Mediator

My children have discovered that they can go to me and I'm usually a bit more lenient or less strict than my bride Pam. Thus, if they want something and we're both present, they'll announce, "Mom, don't answer." and then turn to me and make their petition. Other times, they come to me and ask me to intervene with their mother about something. They want me to be the mediator.

Many people seem to pray in the same manner. In fact there is one branch of Christianity that apparently encourages praying to God through a mediator. They have an entire pantheon of saints, one for any and every type of petition known to man. Today's reading speaks directly to this practice.

John 16:23-24 At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. The truth is, you can go directly to the Father and ask him, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

We are told by Jesus that we do not need to find a mediator, we are part of the family. We already have all we need - Jesus' authority. He plainly tells us that we "can go directly to the Father." He further adds, "and He will grant your request." We don't need to find just the right dead saint that will bring our petition before God - trying to catch Him in a good mood. No, we can go directly to Him as His children, knowing that He will grant our request.

Lord, may I pray believing, may my prayers line up with Your word, and may I trust You for the answers. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He longs to hear from you. Jan
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John 15 - Counselor

At the end of this chapter Jesus tells the disciples that He will send them a Counselor - the Spirit of Truth. Other translations call Him the Helper or Comforter. The Greek word is Parakletos.

John 15:26-27 "But I will send you the Counselor —the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. And you must also tell others about me because you have been with me from the beginning.

I found the following definition of the word Parakletos.

The original New Testament Greek word parakletos (pronounced in Greek as par-ak-lay-tos), which literally means called to one's side, was used to describe someone who pleaded another's cause, or who helped others by defending or comforting them.
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010727.htm

One of the definitions is "to plead another's cause". Now think of that in terms of the verses above. The Helper's or Counselor's job is to tell all about Jesus - to plead His cause. And since we are now fully educated by the One that came alongside us, we must do likewise - as verse 27 states - and come alongside others, pleading Christ's cause.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit, who teaches us what we need to know. May I listen, obey, and then help others as I've been helped. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Come alongside someone, Jan
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John 14 - Love?

How do you define love? What does it mean? As it would relate to interpersonal relationships that don't deal with romance, the dictionary defines it as follows.

Love - A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.

So it appears that it would be to feel attracted, a desire to be related, or to be one with someone. I guess that is an acceptable definition for the world's standard. However, what does Jesus say love is?

If you love me, obey my commandments.

Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me...

Jesus replied, "All those who love me will do what I say..."

Anyone who doesn't love me will not do what I say...

When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.

You are my friends if you obey me.
             John 14:15, 21a, 23a, 24a, 15:10, 14

Whoa, seems pretty clear doesn't it? Jesus equates loving Him with obeying Him. It isn't some feeeeeling, or a chemical condition - a reaction to pheromones. It has nothing to do with emotion. It has everything to do with action.

Revelation 2:4-5 But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first.

Jesus, speaking to the church at Ephesus, said that they don't love Him as they once did. He says that they must work as they did at first. They must do things that show they love Him!

There is great reward in obeying His commandments to the end - loving Him to the end.

Revelation 2:26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, I will give authority over all the nations.

Heavenly Father, may I live my life victorious. May I run the race with endurance and have the grace to obey You to the end. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Love Him, Jan
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John 13 - Visible Love

After Jesus' last supper with His disciples, He gives them a charge.

John 13:34-35 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

The words "just as" stood out to me today. Jesus commanded them to love each other just as He loved them. The result of them doing so will result in visible evidence that they are His disciples. What are the things that He did? How do we love just as He did? I suspect that it involves a lot of humility and self-sacrifice. Yet, it also involves being continually honest and demonstrating strength when required. Clearly Jesus was not a wimp, nor was He a barbarian.

So does our love look like His? Is there evidence to prove that you are His disciple? How about me?

As scriptures says, let us examine ourselves.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test.

Heavenly Father, please help us all to pass the test. May I demonstrate Your love to others and thus prove that I'm Yours. May my brothers and sisters do the same. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Peace, Jan
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John 12 - Delegated Authority

At the end of this chapter is just another example of delegated authority. We sort of understand this concept in our culture, but not really. The closest thing we have to the type delegated authority the Bible talks of would be an ambassador to a foreign country.

This person has the full weight and power of his native nation behind him. He is the voice of that country, his residence is considered land of that country, and he is often above local laws - subject only to the laws of his own native country. He has the power to make and break treaties and his actions or words can bring his country to war with the nation that he is stationed in. Sometimes he is even stationed in a nation that is at war with his own, and he stands as the sole official point of contact between the warring parties.

John 12:44-45 Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If you trust me, you are really trusting God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me."

Jesus is declaring that when people see Him, they are seeing the full power, and authority of God and His Kingdom. God delegated that authority to the man - Jesus - so that He would truly be His ambassador to Earth - a land at war with Him.

Thank You Father, that You sent Jesus to be the ambassador that brought an end to the war. We now have peace with the Kingdom of Heaven because of what Jesus did. In His name, Amen.

He is the ambassador of peace, Jan
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John 11 - Inspired

I find an interesting reference in this chapter. It appears to me that a corrupt man was influenced by the Holy Spirit to utter truth.

John 11:50-53 Why should the whole nation be destroyed? Let this one man die for the people.

"This prophecy that Jesus should die for the entire nation came from Caiaphas in his position as high priest. He didn't think of it himself; he was inspired to say it. It was a prediction that Jesus' death would be not for Israel only, but for the gathering together of all the children of God scattered around the world.

So from that time on the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus' death.

Caiaphas, as the High Priest, had the mantle of authority upon him. He was given foreknowledge by God as to events that had not yet transpired. If Caiaphas had become a believer, I wonder if the situation would have changed? Would he have worked to save Jesus from death, or would he have allowed it; knowing that God had ordained that is should happen?

Father, thank You that Jesus did die for my sins. May I live holy before You and encourage others to do the same. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Peace, Jan
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John 10 – Sheep

I am glad to be likened to a sheep. Because at times, I'm stupid, lazy, and need to be brought to a pasture where I can just lay around and eat. It is also good to know that I don't have to be concerned for my own welfare, that is the job of the shepherd - Jesus. All I need to do is ensure that I stay within the sound of His voice.

John 10:27 My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

In order to recognize His voice, I must spend time with Him. I must get to know His inflections, His tone. I can only do that through reading His word, and by praying.

Lord, please help me to be a good sheep. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Baah, Jan
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John 9 – Blind

Blindness is probably one of the worst of the disabilities. God created a world full of wonder that is a cornucopia of delights for the eyes to behold. What a tragedy when that is not possible.

Jesus speaks of another kind of blindness in this chapter, it is blindness of the heart.

John 9:39 Then Jesus told him, "I have come to judge the world. I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind."

The sight that Jesus gives allows men to see their spiritual state, to realize that they need a savior. He further stirs the blind heart so that it realizes that it truly is blind. It is as if a person lived in a sealed cave their entire life. Imagine if after their twentieth birthday they were brought to the surface, to experience the light. That person would truly understand what it meant to have been blind, but now seeing.

Heavenly Father, may we emerge from the cave of darkness and bring others with us to the surface so that they too can see the Light. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Give sight, Jan
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John 8 – Slavery

It is a nearly universal belief that slavery is wrong. Yet there are places in the world that it still exists today. These oppressed, downtrodden, hopeless people die never knowing what it means to live free. It must be a miserable state exist in.

John 8:34-36 Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.

Jesus clearly says that if we are serving sin, then we are sin's slaves. But He follows that with a wonderful promise. When we are set free by the Son, we are not only free, we are now members of the royal family - forever.

Thank You Father for freedom and for family. May I live my life in a manner worthy of these gifts. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Live Free! Jan
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John 7 – Trilema

Something in today's reading begs a question, "When did Jesus begin to display evidence of his divine nature?" Look at the following verses.

John 7:2-5 But soon it was time for the Festival of Shelters, and Jesus' brothers urged him to go to Judea for the celebration. "Go where your followers can see your miracles!" they scoffed. "You can't become a public figure if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, prove it to the world!" For even his brothers didn't believe in him.

Do you see the tone? It is clear that his brothers don't believe that Jesus is the Messiah. In fact the text says so. Apparently they'd heard a lot from their elder brother growing up, but had not seen any tangible evidence. Note that they used the word "if" regarding Jesus' miracles.

Later their tone changes. Since they have seen and heard, they now believe that he has power and is someone special, but now they think he's going insane.

Mark 3:20-21 When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying, the crowds began to gather again, and soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him home with them. "He's out of his mind," they said.

Finally, they get it.

Acts 1:13-14 Then they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here is the list of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

His mother and brothers are counted amongst the believers.

Originally C.S. Lewis proposed an idea, and then Josh McDowell codified it. The premise is that if you take what the bible teaches about Jesus then you must either ascribe to him one of the following titles; Liar, Lunatic, or Lord. It is called the Trilema.

In a 1943 radio broadcast Lewis said, "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. ... Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God."

Why must Lewis accept it? Because, if Jesus is neither a madman or liar, then he is Lord, because he said he was.

Revelation 1:8, 12a, 17-18a "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." ...Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me... And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore"...

Who is the Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, was dead and now lives? The answer is clear - Jesus. Yet all of those titles, except dead and now alive, are ascribed to God.

But lest you think I'm pulling something out of context, there is this from Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples.

John 20:28-29 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus did not correct him. No, he acknowledged that Thomas was correct. Jesus is God.

I suspect that as adults, many of us wrestled with the "trilema" prior to coming to accept Jesus as Lord. Yet so did Jesus' family as is evidenced by their progression of belief. At first he appeared to be lying, then they saw him as a lunatic, and finally as Lord.

Heavenly Father, thank You for divine mysteries and interesting details. May we be willing to explore and learn - to show ourselves workmen approved by You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He is Lord, Jan
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John 6 – Belief

A few weeks ago I heard one of my Pastors preach about God's Will. He expounded on how Christians always lament that they don't know it. I see Jesus' crowds asking the same question today.

John 6:28 They replied, "What does God want us to do?"

They asked the question. And based upon the answer, for many it was probably a genuine question; a longing of their hearts.

John 6:29 Jesus told them, "This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent."

For the unbeliever, that is the answer - Believe Jesus. However, for us that are Christians, the answer is - the same. We must believe the One He has sent.

If we believe Him, then His words are true and we will obey them. Alas, that is the crux of the issue, we disobey because we've bought Satan's lie; "God is holding out on you. If you do it your way, it will be more (fill in the blank)." However, if we truly believe that God is good, and wants only good for us, then we would obey without reservation.

Lord, please give me a heart of belief. I truly want to obey. May I be a son that pleases You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

His will is for us to believe. Jan
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John 5 – Love

I know a person that seems to regard knowledge of scripture above relationship with the one that wrote it. Most that know him quickly say that there is no love of Christ in him. I found today's reading to be strikingly accurate.

John 5:39-40 You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me! Yet you are not willing to come to me in order to have life.

He reads and studies, claims that he prays, yet the fruit of the Spirit just don't seem to be there. He continues to condemn others and live a very bitter angry life. I think it is described in the following verses; as is my response to him.

John 5:41-42 Your approval or disapproval means nothing to me, because I know you don't have God's love within you.

Heavenly Father, may I come to Jesus for life, now and in the age to come. In His name, Amen.

Live, Laugh, Love. Jan
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John 4 – Reward

Again today I was drawn to a verse about the work. This time about the harvest and workers.

John 4:36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!

We are not mere slaves working for our Master, no we are told that we will be paid good wages for harvesting souls. And once the harvest is in, we get to enjoy the kingdom!

Thank You Father for the promise of wages. I deserve nothing. However, You have graciously granted reward for faithful service. May I be diligent in Your field. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The pay is out of this world! Jan
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John 3 – Work

Sometimes reading a different translation casts an entirely new light onto a familiar verse. Today's reading had just such a verse. Below is the traditional rendering.

John 3:27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.”

This makes sense; a person can't really claim something as his unless it is God that has given it to him. But there is more to this verse. Look at the following rendering from the New Living Translation.

John 3:27 John replied, “God in heaven appoints each person's work.”

This verse goes a long way to explain why so many people are dissatisfied with their job. If it was not one that God appointed for them to do, they are in the wrong place.

Heavenly Father, please give us the grace to know what work You want us to do, and then make it possible. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Work as unto the Lord, Jan
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John 2 - Wedding Feast Miracle

Why this miracle, and why now? Jesus decides to turn water into wine, at the behest of his mother. And don't let anyone convince you this was somehow non-alcoholic wine. It was wine as wine was expected to be. The master of the ceremony even commented on how exquisite it was. So again, why?

John 2:11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was Jesus' first display of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

It was so that his disciples would believe in him! It was proof to them. The miracle was not a sign for those at the ceremony, only the servants, his mother, and the disciples knew what had occurred. The rest of the party-goers only knew that more wine had arrived. No, it wasn't for the public, it was Jesus' disciples that had to be convinced.

Thank You Lord that You don't expect us to have mere blind faith. You proved time and time again who You are, and that You are good. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He is the one, Jan
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John 1 - First things First

I saw something today that I'd never noticed before. It isn't earth-shattering news, it is merely something I'd hitherto just skipped over.

John 1:35-41 The following day, John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and then declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" Then John's two disciples turned and followed Jesus.

Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

"Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place, and they stayed there the rest of the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who had heard what John said and then followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon, and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means the Christ).

Andrew was one of the first two disciples of Jesus. However, prior to following Jesus, Andrew had another Rabbi, it was John the Baptist. It is evident that this Rabbi had prepared Andrew well for the day that he would have to leave his tutelage, for Andrew did not hesitate; he immediately turned and followed Jesus.

The very next action that Andrew takes; the first thing he does as a disciple of Jesus, is to tell his closest companion; his friend, his brother. I know that kind of relationship. My brother Viktor are only three years apart in age, we are both followers of Jesus and as a result of our upbringing, and our shared faith, we have a great relationship. If something good is happening, or I need help, he is a person that I call without reservation. That Andrew shared such a relationship with Simon shows in his actions; he loved his brother and wanted him to share in his joy.

Heavenly Father, may we all love our siblings as Andrew loved his. May our primary desire be to bring them to Jesus. It is in His name I pray, Amen.

Peace, Jan
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