This post is the third of four posts about Jesus calling six disciples.
John 1:35-42 35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
38 When 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?"
39 He 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. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed).
38 When 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?"
39 He 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. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed).
So much is happening in these verses! John the Baptist points his disciples to Jesus identifying him as the Messiah. And they start to follow him - without an invitation. They want to get to know him, "Where are you staying?" And Jesus invites them home with him... "Come and see!"
One of the most effective ways to live out our profession of "catching people" (see the last blog) is to live a life worthy of their interest. Then to invite them home with us - invite them to get to know us. So they can judge first hand if we are the real deal. And more importantly - if Jesus is the real deal. This is what Jesus did before he called his first disciples. He developed a relationship with them.
So many "fishers of people" like to keep their fish at arm's length. They are happy to force their way over to talk to the person asking them a set of evangelistic questions or forcing a tract into their hands. But taking that person home with them? Never! Inviting that person to be a friend? Committing one's self to treating that person better than you treat yourself or your even family? Not a chance! And we make all kinds of excuses!!
"What if that person is more important than me? How silly I will look trying to befriend them"
"What if that person is someone I have talked to when I worked in the soup line at the shelter or in the prison ministry? How can I invite someone home with me that has a background like that?"
"What if that person is a lot older or younger than me? Or if our kids aren't the same ages? What if they are a neighborhood child? What if we have nothing in common?"
These are just lame excuses.
Jesus sets an example for us here! Catching people is about inviting them to journey with us. Accepting them as they are... letting them see who Jesus is in us... not pushing them around or pressuring them. Walking together. Two beggars looking for the bread of life together!
Take a moment and think about who God might have put in front of you to invite home with you today. Don't worry if the house isn't straightened. Or if your walk with Jesus isn't perfected yet. Or if you don't have all the answers. Just open your heart and your house to build a relationship. And watch God work - its an amazing thing to have front row seats!
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