“The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’ ” (John 1:43-46).

Visiting your local zoo can be a great way to spend time with your family. Some of the animals are very visible during the day while others enjoy hiding from the large crowds. When those in hiding eventually come out, the guests begin shouting and calling their families to “come and see.” They want those in their family, both young and old, to see the action, too.

When Jesus began winning disciples, it took careful thought on the part of these men and women to grasp the significance of His presence. Their thoughts must have been, “This is too good to be true.” The disciples challenged and encouraged others to see Jesus for themselves. They not only wanted to talk about Jesus, they wanted people to see Him in action. People want to see real Christians in action.

They are tired of the empty promises, the greedy schemes, and the hypocritical lifestyles. When people meet a genuine believer in action, it is a sight to behold. Unfortunately, the bad examples illustrated by believers seem to outpace the good ones.

Make no mistake; your life influences others to follow Jesus or abandon Him altogether. When you lose your job or suffer from health problems, people are watching. When you correct your children or speak with your spouse, others take notice. When the opportunity to help someone is presented to you, your actions will speak louder than your words.

Someone may say to their close relative, “I found someone who says they are a Christian. Come and see.” If they do, what would they find that reflects Christ in your place of work? What habits would they be able to observe throughout your week? Would they say that you trust God in every area of your life? Would generosity and sacrificial love be observed?

Read:  Open your Bible and read Psalms 1:1-6.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: How can delighting in God’s Word strengthen my character? What metaphor describes the change?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

“One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas’ (which means Peter)” (John 1:40-42).

Everyone is waiting in line with you for the doors to open. It’s 11:59 PM on Thanksgiving night. Shoppers are ready to attack the isles. You know exactly where to go to quickly get what you need. You have a list memorized in your mind. The question is where do you go first? Knowing that time and quantities are limited, it can be a tough decision indeed.

When you accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, whom did you tell first about your transformation? It may have started with your immediate family, close circle of friends, and co-workers. We usually share good news with those who know us best. We want them to be part of the celebration.

The challenge for us is to make sure we do everything we can to reach everyone we can. Notice Paul’s deep conviction: “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). Paul was relentless in his pursuit of bringing men and women to Jesus. It was his singular focus.

You have a key role in bringing people to Jesus. You might object and say, “Well, I’m not a Pastor, an Evangelist, or a Teacher.” That may be true, but you are an ambassador for Christ. God is counting on you to make Jesus known to everyone that you possibly can. You are God’s voice in a dark and gloomy world. Regardless of your gifts, you are salt and light on this earth. Right now, people desperately need you to bring them to Jesus. You may not be the one to lead them in prayer to accept Jesus.

You may not be the one to answer all of their doubts. However, God has a specific purpose for you, in their process to knowing the Savior. Do your part and let God do His part. Don’t be afraid and don’t delay. Bring them to Jesus.

Read:  Open your Bible and read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: Paul made personal adjustments to reach all people. How flexible are you in this area?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

“The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?’ And they said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and you will see.’ So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour” (John 1:35-39).

“Can I help you?” It is a popular question among retail store employees. They see you walk through the door of their store and ask, “Is there anything in particular I can help you find?” Most of us say, “No, thank you. I want to look around.” At least we know who to go to for help if needed.

There are many different reasons why people go to church or join a small group. They begin exploring the Christian life one step at a time, one activity at a time. They may not be able to fully explain their presence, but their growing desire to know God personally is usually a key factor.

Why do you go to church? Why have you joined a small group? Jesus was very direct with John’s disciples. He asked, “What are you seeking?” Without question, John shared with his disciples the spectacular events that took place the day before. But what they were looking for was the central question. Were these disciples of John looking for the Messiah, or did they want to see another spectacular activity? What were they looking for?

John’s disciples wanted to learn more about Jesus. They called Jesus “Rabbi.” Jesus was recognized as a teacher. The disciples were willing to learn from the Master Himself. They were ready to listen to His teachings. The disciples simply wanted to know more about Jesus. Conversations on the street do not compare to spending time with someone at their home.

Why the pursuit? Are you hoping to see a spectacular show, or do you really want to better know Jesus? Knowing Jesus intimately and understanding his ways is a process. It is not a mechanical pursuit. It is a relationship. Are your ready to invest the time? What are you seeking?

Read:  Open your Bible and read 1 Corinthians 4:5.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: Since God knows your heart, how does that encourage you in your pursuit of knowing Him more?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

“And John bore witness: ‘I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God’ ” (John 1:32-34).

It’s like solving a great mystery. You find clues along the way and begin piecing each of them together. You ask questions and gather information. Everything starts coming together. It may take hours or even weeks to figure out how everything is connected. But once you find the last clue, everything else suddenly becomes crystal clear. Case solved!

God told John that the Messiah would arrive. John surely must have been thrilled. His entire life’s work revolved around preparing people for the Messiah, and making a clear path for His arrival. God told John what to look for to identify the Savior. When John witnessed the promised sign take place right before his eyes, the mystery was solved. John received closure. He was now certain. This was the Messiah, the Son of God.

Can you imagine knowing one of your cousins since you were a child, but never understanding that he was the Messiah? John was not able to know the real Jesus until God revealed it to him. The term, “Son of God” points to the deity of Jesus Christ. It points to His divine origin, His eternal existence, and His shared relationship with the Father and Holy Spirit.

The Messiah was destined to rule in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. His Kingdom would prevail over all evil and would have no end. From this point forward, God would speak to his people through Jesus, the Son of God. It was a powerful moment in the life of John. Here he stood with the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords.

Jesus would now take things to another level. He would begin to baptize and immerse people into God’s Kingdom through faith in Him. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus would change lives. He would do much more than simply foreshadow our salvation. Jesus became our salvation.

Read:  Open your Bible and read Hebrews 1:1-9.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: How has knowing Jesus changed your life? What words would best describe His work in you?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me. I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” (John 1:29-31).

Picture Courtesy of Stephan Beaumont

When technology companies announce that they are bringing a new product into the market, they try to create anticipation and excitement from the moment the product is announced to the media until the day it is available for purchase. The amount of time spent discussing the product and how it will be used is truly amazing. It can be a thrilling experience.

Back in John’s day, everyone was well aware of the Messiah’s arrival and what it would mean to Israel. But, there was a problem. The people wanted the benefits and glory of His Second Coming before accepting the reality of His suffering during His first arrival. This is nothing new for us. We often want the benefits before working through the difficult realities.

Jesus’ first arrival was not about establishing a kingdom to rule over the nations. His first visit had to do with destroying the power of sin, the penalty of sin, and ultimately the presence of sin. Jesus came to destroy the works of darkness by becoming a sacrificial lamb. He did not come to rule, but to serve. He came to seek out and save those who were lost.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross served to provide payment for our sins. It perfectly satisfied God’s legal and holy requirement. Because of the precious blood of the Lamb of God, we no longer have to carry the weight and hopelessness of our sins. Jesus carried all of our sins on the cross. He made full payment for all of them—past, present, and future sins.

Consider the depth of God’s love for you. His primary purpose for coming to Earth was to provide a way for you to have direct access to the Father. He deliberately endured the pain and agony of the cross. As an innocent lamb, His intention was to permanently deal with your sin problem. He knew your limitations. The Lamb of God suffered and died in your place.

Read:  Open your Bible and read 1 Timothy 2:5.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: How grateful am I for what Jesus did for me? Have I accepted Jesus as my Savior? Why or why not?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

“They asked him, ‘Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.’ These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing” (John 1:25-28).

Have you ever clearly answered a question and those who are listening still don’t have a clue what you are talking about? John the Baptist could relate. His response to those who questioned him was very clear. The religious agents sent by the Pharisees probably expected a more elaborate answer. But, John kept things simple. He kept his focus on the Lord Jesus.

John’s opponents continued their line of hard questioning. They were direct and to the point. If you were in John’s shoes, how would you respond? Consider the following questions: Why do you obey God? What’s the motive behind your activity? Why do you pray? Why do you read your Bible and go to church? Why do you give the first ten percent of your income to the church? Why do you serve God through your gifts?

These are questions that require introspection. They force us to think through the core motivation for our ministry. Are we obeying God to gain a higher social status, make more money or, increase our power? Once again, John points these agents of religion to the Savior; he was simply doing his part to provide a way for the Messiah to shine. John was trying to decrease his popularity in order to increase the ministry of his Messiah.

We return to our question: Why do you obey God? Is the goal of your obedience to provide a way for Jesus to shine and touch others through your life? I certainly hope so. If it is, then we have to take steps to get the focus off of ourselves and onto our Lord. This is not necessarily an easy thing to do. Our culture promotes self-centeredness and selfishness. Let the words of the Apostle Paul be your constant prayer:

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Read:  Open your Bible and read Galatians 2:20.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: Is the life of Jesus visible in my attitude and in my actions? What new steps of faith do I need to begin?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

“So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said’ ” (John 1:22-23).

Have you been around people who absolutely love to talk? You ask them a simple question, and the answer they give you is nothing short of a mini-book. If you are in a hurry, their response may force you to be late. There are times when it is important to get right to the point. Many have said, “Clarity is the window to opportunity.” Let us be clear about who we are.

The religious leaders asked John two questions: “Who are you?” and “What do you say about yourself?” John’s answer must have surprised these men. John humbly referred to himself as “the voice.” The voice? What a bizarre response. John was a man of great humility. He did not focus on his position; he focused on his purpose. He was the voice that God would use to prepare for the arrival of the Messiah. John summarized the purpose of his life in one sentence. What about you? Could you do the same?

We are often asked the question, “What do you do?” Our normal response is to identify our title along with the company we work for. If we are studying, we might identify ourselves as a student at a particular school. Think about the two penetrating questions asked of John. If we removed your title, or your current level of study, what statement would best describe your life’s singular purpose? Would it be God-focused?

Paul provides an example in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The phrase, “But one thing I do” is a powerful statement. Paul refused to live in the past. He refused to believe that his past would control the outcome of his future in Christ.

Paul made every effort to focus his life on the spiritual reward set aside for those who make it their goal to become like Christ. He used all of his strength to advance the gospel while reflecting the character of his Lord.

Read:  Open your Bible and read Philippians 3:12-21.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: How would I summarize God’s purpose for my life in one statement? What would it require of me?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

“And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No’ ” (John 1:19-21).

Have you ever had someone mistake you for another person? You may closely resemble a family member, or a friend from their past. They walk up to you and ask, “Aren’t you _________________?” You say, “I am not.” If they feel confident, they many ask you again. At that time you would respond, “I am not,” while smiling graciously.

No doubt some were confused about John the Baptist. They knew he was a prophet from God. His message was direct and convicting. Could he be the Messiah? They also knew that the prophet Elijah was supposed to return someday, and John lived in the wilderness and ate strange things like Elijah used to do. Maybe John was really Elijah in disguise!

Sometimes the best way to help people understand who you are is to describe who you are not. So John says clearly, “I am not the Christ.” As for the prophet Elijah who will return before the second coming of Christ, John made that clear as well: he was not Elijah. “The Prophet” in this passage points to the Messiah, Jesus. Again, John’s answer is clear. He is not the Christ, he is not Elijah, and he is not the Prophet.

It is good for us to know who we are not. Since Satan wants to enslave us to our past, it is important for us to remind ourselves of who we are not. It also helps to know who we are no longer trying to be. Consider reading these five statements out loud to serve as a good reminder:

1. “I am not the same person today as I was before accepting Jesus.”
2. “I am not a slave to sin. I am now a slave of the Lord Jesus.”
3. “I am not a liar. I won’t lie or try to manipulate others to get my way.”
4. “I am not trying to be famous. I want Jesus to shine through my life.”
5. “I am not a product of my past. In Christ, I am a product of the cross.”

Read:  Open your Bible and read Romans 11:25-27.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: Have I allowed my heart to be “partially” hardened? Am I trying to be someone who I am not? Which reminder would I say is a challenge for me to verbalize and practice?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.