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
Yesterday we gave thanks for those who pointed us to Jesus. Today, let’s follow the stream of witness – God was self-revealed in Jesus to John. John pointed two others to Jesus. One of those two, Andrew, pointed his brother Simon to Jesus. Simon, known to us as Peter, pointed thousands to Jesus. And the stream continues.
Think today of those you have pointed to Jesus. Your first thought may be, “I haven’t.” But trust God on this. You have! Because you have seen God in Jesus, you can be confident that God is working through you to point others to Jesus. Your life is a witness to God through and beyond your intent.
Look carefully to see this amazing, constant truth. God is using you! Might you be more effective as a witness? Of course, we all could, even Peter. But begin with the certainty that God is already using you.
Prayer
Gracious God, you create and continue the communion of saints who bear witness of your love to one another. We thank you for the privilege of pointing others to you through Jesus Christ, and we pray that we will be opened today for that role. Amen.