A Weekday Paragraph is a short scripture and a short paragraph (or two or three . . .LOL) of how it applies to my life. This is written by a Christian who is growing in her relationship with Jesus, for other growing Christians. Please be encouraged, challenged or both . . . and feel free to comment or reply.
John 1: 35-39: “Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!”
The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.
When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?”
They said to Him, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’) where are You staying?
“Come and you’ll see,” He replied. So they went and saw where he was staying and they stayed with Him that day. it was about 10 in the morning.
When meeting someone new, people often exchange names, occupations and details about their daily lives. Andrew was one of the two disciples who decided to follow Jesus, after following John. The disciples wanted to know where Jesus was staying so they could hang out with Him and get to know Him better. It was not enough for them that John thought he was the Lamb of God: they had to find out about this man for themselves.
It is interesting that Jesus did not tell them the physical address of where he lived at the time. He invited them to be where He was. Jesus was staying at more than a physical location in Israel: He was staying in the will of God. It was more necessary to Him than His daily food. In John 4:34, Jesus tells his disciples “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.”
It would be a neat experience to spend an entire day with someone who was in the will of God, who was perfectly following God, in attitudes and actions.
After spending a day with Jesus, Andrew was convinced that He was the Messiah. He went to get his brother Peter. Peter and Andrew then followed Jesus together. They walked closely with Jesus for three years. Discipleship involved a close relationship, not a distant one. They watched as he healed the sick, taught the people, feed the multitudes, calmed the seas and walked on water.
They also watched as he dealt with challenges to his ministry from the religious leaders. They were with him when many of his followers turned away, to the point that he asked them whether they would also leave.
Jesus wants to walk closely with His followers today as well. He wants us to know where he is staying. He wants us staying with Him — in the will of the Father.
Yes, there are principles to follow in Christianity. To read about them, the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes are two good places to start. But Christianity is not just about following principles: it is about a relationship with Jesus.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
"Crucified, Hidden, Seated" 