The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 16 January 2024 – We Have Found The Messiah
TOPIC: We Have Found The Messiah
READ: JOHN 1: 35-42 (NKJV)
- Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
- And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
- The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
- Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”
- He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
- One of the two who heard John [speak,] and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
- He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).
- And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
THE MESSAGE:
Today’s passage continues to build on the previous ones, in which we see John the Baptist continuing in his ministry of pointing people to Jesus. On this occasion, some of the people who were profoundly affected by his message were two of his own disciples, Andrew and one other disciple. The two immediately left John and permanently began to follow Jesus.
John the Baptist didn’t mind at all that he was losing his disciples to Jesus! In fact, he later declared that it was for this very purpose that he had come: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3: 30). Oh, that we all would strive to imbibe this same attitude of John: That Jesus be glorified even at our own expense! Meanwhile, Andrew, having been impacted by the life and message of Christ, went and brought his brother Peter: “We have found the Messiah” (verse 41), he said to Peter.
There is a strong connection between our attitude towards sinners who need Christ and our own personal encounter with Christ Himself. If you have truly encountered the Messiah, are you passionate about drawing others, by word and deed, to that same Messiah whom you have encountered?
PRAYER: Lord, please draw me into a deeper encounter with You today, and give me a passionate heart for sinners! Amen.
