Thursday March 7, 2024

Today is Thursday, March 7 and we are reading through the first chapter of the Gospel of John.

Holy and loving God, I long to experience your abiding presence. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, enable me to hear the message you have for me today. As I read from the Gospel of John, speak to my heart and mind in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). John 1:35-42

You have probably heard about Peter. Peter was one of the main disciples of Jesus. In the top tier. He was a big fisherman with a big personality. Peter provided a home base for Jesus, walked on water in the Sea of Galilee, witnessed the Transfiguration, was nicknamed “The Rock,” fell asleep in the Garden, cut off a Centurion’s ear at the arrest, and preached to three thousand people who joined the church in one day. We know about Peter. But what do we know about Andrew?

Not much. Andrew is Peter’s little brother. He is mentioned only twice in the Bible. He is one of the first to identify the real nature of Jesus. After spending the day talking with Jesus he goes to his big brother and declares, “We have found the Messiah.” The Christ. The Anointed One. The one we have been waiting and longing for. The one promised for centuries by scripture and prophecy. Andrew met him and knows it is him. Then he invites his big brother to come and see. Come and meet Jesus. See for yourself. Andrew’s invitation changed the course of the world. There is power in invitation.

We have a God who invites. God invites us into a relationship with him. God invites us to take the next step on our faith journey. God invites us to grow deeper in relationship with him. God invites us to know his Son. God invites us to receive the Holy Spirit. God can invite us any way God chooses, but God seems most fond of using other people to issue his invitations. God has invited us and we are to invite others.

Ask: Who invited me to meet Jesus? Who have I invited to meet Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Lord, you are a God of invitation, always reaching out to me and others to welcome us home and bring us close to your side. Forgive me when I ignore your loving invitations and continue to prioritize the things of this world. Remind me to spend time in your presence, talking with you, being with you. Reveal the people around me who I can invite to meet you. Amen.