Sunday 19 January 2014
- Bible Book:
- John
“The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’” (vv. 35-39a)
Background
Twice in today's passage, John the Baptist refers to Jesus asthe Lamb of God (verses 29, 35).
On the first occasion (verse 29) he declares, "Here is the Lambof God who takes away the sin of the world!" You may have sung orheard these words sung (in an older translation) as well as spokenfor they are used in the opening chorus of the second part of
The second occasion Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God twoof John's disciples hear him and then follow Jesus. They respondpositively both to John's witness and to the invitation of Jesus to'come and see' where he is staying. Andrew, however, cannot wait totell his brother what has happened; he, too, becomes a witness toJesus and tells Simon Peter, "We have found the Messiah" (v.41).
To Ponder
- What images, titles, and stories have you found helpful in yourgrowing understanding of Jesus and what he has done, is doing, andpromises to do?
- Do some of those images, titles, and stories prove moreeffective than others when you bear witness to Jesus? Which one?And why?
- How do you respond to what Andrew did?