Read John 1:35-39. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “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.
Digging Deeper
Are you afraid of approaching strangers? Do you wait for them to come to you or do you go to them?
When I see a visitor, I want to greet him/her? I feel more comfortable if someone else was talking to that person and then I can join in by introducing myself. Is that you too?
The two disciples heard John the Baptist say to them, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” They started to follow him perhaps quickening their steps to catch up with Him. Each one wonders, “How are we going to introduce ourselves to Him.” I can image one nudge the others and saying to the other, “You talk to him!” while other says, “No, you approach him. It’s not going to be me!” Did Jesus hear them talking or sense they were walking behind them? Jesus turned and said, “What do you want?” It’s a stranger answer by them, “Teacher, where are you saying?” There’s record of them introducing themselves to Him or saying that John the Baptist sent them. They called Him, Teacher, and the words, where are you saying, is that they wanted to know more about Him. Jesus invites them to fellowship with Him.
Sometimes, it is so hard that we want someone to mentor us. We reluctant to approach that person. It is even hard for me to ask members to serve the Lord in some ministry position. We’re afraid of the “No” answer so we try to avoid approaching that person. How sad it would have been if those two disciples just turn around and walked away! What a relief for them when Jesus invited them to stay with him that day.
If God is directing you to someone, don’t walk away. Don’t be shy to approach and share you reason for your request. As a retired pastor, the church leaders were looking for someone to oversee the Children Ministry. Would a retired pastor want to do this? Would he feel it is “beneath” his title as pastor? I was glad they approach me and I gladly accepted. I trust that as the coworkers walk with me and I walk with them that we will build a bond together that will transform the Children Ministry. If we have prayerfully talked to the Lord, He will open a door of a mentor, a helper in your ministry, or even someone’s heart to hear the Gospel. Don’t wait too long to ask. Go for it and you will be bless.
Kingston Tong