Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, draw us to You. Amen.
Text: John 1:35-43
Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”
Devotion
John with his inspired pen here describes his first meeting with Jesus. “Behold the Lamb of God!” He and Andrew heard this statement of the Baptizer and followed the Lord. All who hear the word of repentance and are sorry for their sin also hear the Gospel and follow the Lamb of God. Immediately Jesus turns to them and talks with them, gives them voice to express their desire, and He invites them to Himself. Blessed people! But we, how can we hear the Baptizer’s call to repentance, and how do we find the Lord Jesus? “I know an inn where my Savior stays, His holy Church, the city of God” (Cf. Psa 46:4-5). “Where do You keep Yourself?” I have asked Him with eager heart, and He answers: “Come and see!” And I came and saw where He lives, and now my whole life I want to sing: “Blessed is the man whom You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple” (Psa 65:4). “Come and see!” Don’t stand so far away, you who are seeking the Lord and His dwelling place! We pray you, we urge you: Come in! Dear friends, come in and see!” (Besser)
The two who found the Messiah could not let the sun go down before finding Simon, Andrew’s brother, who, like them, thirsted for the water of life. How could they sit rejoicing at the Fountain and let him languish in the wilderness? In the Lamb of God one finds a sense of mission. They both go out. Andrew “finds Peter first” and calls to him joyfully: “We have found the Messiah!” and leads him to Jesus. Then there is joy among God’s angels, when one brother leads the other to the Savior. Jesus “looked at him” and saw now that this was the one He had chosen in the Father’s plan as His instrument to establish the Church of Pentecost. “You are Simon, Son of Jonah.” He knew what Simon was: warm-hearted, but fleshly, honorable, but easily tempted. And He saw how He could use him: “You shall be called Cephas, which in Greek is: Peter,” and in English: Rock. The truth which Peter confessed: “You are Christ, the Son of the living God,” this truth is the rock and that’s why He is called “Peter.”
How did the Lord find you? How have you been since He found you? Who led you to Him and whom have you led to Him? What has the Lord said to you? What was your name, and what name did He give you?
Closing Prayer
“I am a great sinner, that is all my name. I have nothing better to offer when I hear the sentence of the Law. But first You became Jesus, my Savior, and took my troubles on Yourself. Therefore my name is written beautifully in the book of life.” Praise to You, Lord Jesus!
Hymn
Lord, make us all, both young and old,
True foll’wers, zealous, yearning,
With heartfelt joy forever bold,
Our love on earth be burning!
Take us all to heav’n above
Where we may thank You for Your love,
Your grace forever blessing! O Lord Jesus!
Landstad: Sankt Peder faldt for Kristus ned L 480:7 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Christ lag in Todesbanden (ELH 343); alternate hymn: O Word of God Incarnate ELH 171:3