John 1:29-42 (NRSV)
Read John 1:29-42 on biblegateway.com
Verse 29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Verse 30This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' Verse 31I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." Verse 32And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. Verse 33I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' Verse 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." Verse 35The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, Verse 36and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!"
Verse 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Verse 38When 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?" Verse 39He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. Verse 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. Verse 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). Verse 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
Devotion
“Come, See, Stay”
When John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, two of John’s disciples follow Jesus, only to hear his question: “What are you looking for?” When they ask, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Jesus replies, “Come and see.”
They come, see, and stay with Jesus and the Jesus movement is launched as Jesus invites these new followers to listen and learn, to come closer and stay longer with him. And they do.
Can you, in this busy and distracted culture, continue to pause and listen and learn and see and feel Jesus’ presence in your life and in your world? Can you, then, like John, testify with your words and deeds to this truth and add your story to Jesus’ mission to the world? This is the Epiphany question and opportunity.
Prayer
Lord, your disciples made a leap of faith and answered your call by dropping everything to follow you. Thank you for their faithfulness and for your promise to help us do the same. Amen.
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