Following Jesus
In looking at Jesus’ first encounter with the in John 1:35-51 we see several significant elements that we should prioritize in our lives as we strive to follow Jesus faithfully. These are the opening principles.
The With Him Factor
Verse 39 points out they stayed with Him - reminding us that our first priority is to simply be with Jesus. Spend time with Him, listening to Him through His word, speaking to Him through prayer.
1. The Question – What do you seek?
While there are many things we need to pursue (job, home, family relationships). There are many things that are worthy of pursuit (friendships, career advancement, social life). There are even things that are perfectly acceptable to pursue (hobbies). The main thing we need to seek is the forgiveness that is only found in repentance and belief - in the gospel. We must be very careful and intentional that of all our needs and wants should be rightly aligned with the Word of God.
2. Finders Seekers
We can’t miss that the first thing Andrew does after meeting and spending time with Jesus is to go tell someone. Verse 41 – He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). One of the most basic elements of Christian discipleship is evangelism - telling others about Jesus. Whether it’s simply handing someone a tract - all the way to sitting down with them and fully explaining the gospel, it’s Christianity 101, not an advanced level thing. If you know enough of the gospel to be saved, you know enough to start sharing! It starts with the first point - simply:
A. Follow Jesus (be saved)
Next,
B. Spend time with & Learn about Jesus
We must spend time with Jesus - see The With Him Factor above. We also need to be continually learning how to better share the gospel with others. Evangelism IS something that is a lifelong process of learning more about and getting better at. How are you growing in your passion, knowledge, and pursuit of evangelism.
C. Tell Others
You do need to use words to share the gospel. Learn the message - learn specifically what to say. Memorize the Scriptures, learn the “script” and know what to say whether it be 30 seconds or 30 minutes. Always be ready to tell others.
D. Don’t Wait for them to Ask - be proactive in sharing.
Notice that Andrew didn’t wait for Peter to ask to meet Jesus. He literally took him to Jesus right away. Here’s what that means for us: don’t wait for someone to ask. Bring the subject up. The sooner you do this in any new relationship, the easier it will be. Two questions you can ask (the order doesn’t matter): do you go to church anywhere? and do you believe in Jesus? Both of those quick, simple, diagnostic questions lead directly to sharing the gospel.
Always be looking for, and thinking about new ways to transition conversations to the gospel. It really should be something that’s always on the front burner.
3. The True Seekers
Don’t miss that while the disciples were certainly eager to be with and learn from Jesus, that it’s Jesus that seeks us. He is the starting point. We don’t seek Him, He seeks us.
4. Changed
Jesus changes us. If you have not been changed, you have not been saved. This doesn’t diminish our mandate to be “all in” in our pursuit of Him as Christians, but we can never forget that we’re Christians because He chose us, He pursued us, He changed our hearts so that they’re now oriented toward Him. What an awesome, glorious truth that is.
We are now “talmid” - disciples - followers of Jesus. In Jewish culture, the relationship between teacher and learner was very personal, very close, and very intense. The goal of the learner was always to be as much like their rabbi as possible. As Christians, we are talmidim (the plural) of our rabbi, Jesus. We must be
• Devoted & follow Him
• Imitate Him
• Die to self - it requires sacrificing self
• Teach others through evangelism and discipleship
Let’s all sit at the feet of our Rabbi, learn from Him, and be as much like Him as we can as we follow Him together as His people.
Grace & Peace
Pastor Rob