Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Follow First, See Second” – Tuesday, 17 June 2014 - Scripture: John 1:35-51

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Follow First, See Second” – Tuesday, 17 June 2014 - Scripture: John 1:35 Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come, and see.”
They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.[a] 40 One of the two who heard John, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is, being interpreted, Christ[b]). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter). 43 On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
50 Jesus answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!” 51 He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Footnotes:
a. John 1:39 4:00 PM.
b. John 1:41 “Messiah” (Hebrew) and “Christ” (Greek) both mean “Anointed One”.
“Follow First, See Second” by Brian Charette
“You don’t have to believe me,” a salesman proclaims. “There’s a money back guarantee! Absolutely no risk to you!” Lots of spray-on hair, food dehydrators, and wearable blankets have been sold under those promises.
People are like that. We like to see some proof before we make a commitment. It's safer. It keeps all of our options open. Perhaps that is why being fully devoted to Christ provides such a challenge for some. Maybe it was a stretch for John the Baptist’s two disciples, when they asked Jesus where He was staying, because He didn’t directly answer their question. Instead, He invites them to follow. “‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’” (John 1:39a). The order of the two verbs—come then see—is repeated later when skeptical Nathanael inquires about Jesus’ credentials. “‘Come and see,’ said Philip” (John 1:46b).

In Christ, it’s follow first, see second. Often, when I have asked the Lord a question, I have sensed in His response not information but an invitation--to come, to obey, to step out, to walk--and then to see. In those instances, like John’s two disciples, I didn’t just simply see where Jesus was but who He is.

Hymn for Today:

“Trust and Obey” by John Sammis
1. When we walk with the Lord 
in the light of his word, 
what a glory he sheds on our way! 
While we do his good will, 
he abides with us still, 
and with all who will trust and obey. 
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way 
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 
2. Not a burden we bear, 
not a sorrow we share, 
but our toil he doth richly repay; 
not a grief or a loss, 
not a frown or a cross, 
but is blest if we trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way 
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 
3. But we never can prove 
the delights of his love 
until all on the altar we lay; 
for the favor he shows, 
for the joy he bestows, 
are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way 
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 
4. Then in fellowship sweet 
we will sit at his feet, 
or we'll walk by his side in the way; 
what he says we will do, 
where he sends we will go; 
never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way 
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 
Thought for Today:
“Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Equatorial Guinea!
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