40-42 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus. 45-46 Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It is Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!” John 1:40-42, 45-56
John, the Baptist had been proclaiming that Jesus was coming and lo, Jesus came to be baptized by John. As Jesus is walking along after his baptism John is shouting out to tell his own disciples who Jesus is. Andrew hears and immediately chooses to follow Jesus and the first thing he does when He meets Jesus is run to find his brother to share the good news. Likewise, Phillip does the same and finds Nathaniel to share the good news and they follow Jesus.
I remember when I began to follow Jesus at the age of seven, when the preacher preached on heaven and hell. I certainly didn’t want to go to hell and Jesus loved me and wanted me to go to heaven, so I decided to follow Jesus that day. The next day I shared my joy with my friend Martha at school and invited her to come to church with me. I was so excited! Even at seven, I felt God’s transforming presence.
Every Sunday morning and Wednesday night I was in church and learning more about Jesus. But gradually over the years the excitement of learning and sharing with my friends at church, took the place of sharing with friends who did not know Christ. If anyone asked or seemed the least interested in my Jesus, I had the answer for sure, but I had lost the excitement that made me want to shout to the world, “Come, see who I have found!”
I fear that there may be the problem with many of us who have been saved as children or teens and been in church most of our lives. We have settled into the routine of Christian living. God is still very real and present in our lives. We participate in our churches, pay our tithe, have a daily time with Jesus and pray regularly, even for the lost, but we are often waiting for them to come to us, rather than boldly seeking them out. Is it that we have forgotten that excitement and joy of having the guilt, shame and fear of hell lifted and replaced by joy, peace, and the promise of heaven with Jesus? It seems it has become more about us than about sharing with others. Ouch!! If you can identify with me, join me in praying for God to restore the joy of our salvation.
Jesus, restore to us the joy of our salvation. Restore our desire to share with those around us. Rekindle a fire and burden for the lost and give us a Holy boldness to share Your miracles and work in our lives. Open our eyes to see where You are working and give us discernment, compassion, and a desire to join You in that work. In Jesus Name, we pray, Amen.
Journey with Joyce 