Countdown to the Conference - Day 3

Today we'll be in John 1:35-51:

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.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Throughout this passage we see three people reaching their world in the same way - they led people to Jesus. John the Baptist points out Jesus to his (that is, John's) disciples and tells them to follow Him (that it, Jesus). Remember, John was quite the spectacle at the time.  Apart from the camel hair suits and grasshopper and honey diet, he was preaching about the soon to come Messiah and challenging the religious leadership.  At the time, the Pharisees were the pinnacle of religious goodness. And yet, John was not only speaking out against them (even calling them a bunch of snakes!), he encouraged his own disciples to stop listening to his own message and follow Jesus (not the Pharisees).  John's calling from before birth had been to proclaim the coming Savior.  And once he knew that Savior, he led others to follow Him.  

Likewise, we see Andrew, one of John's disciples, bring his brother Simon to Jesus. And, once Philip met Jesus, he eventually took Nathanael to Jesus, even though Nathanael was skeptical.  So, we see a very important aspect of ministry and missions.  Often we are very concerned about our own convictions, and even our denominations.  We focus on getting people to church or Bible studies.  We encourage them to listen to certain pastors/teachers, read certain authors, etc.  But, how much more if we would take them straight to Jesus - to talk about what He's done in our own lives, how He's changed us, and what love He's shown to us through the cross. The goal of reaching the world is not to make disciples of pastors, authors, or churches, but disciples of Jesus.  Furthermore, we in our personal lives need to know Him to bring people to Him. In order to lead others to a relationship with God, we must also have our own relationship with Him. The beautiful thing about Jesus is he never puts up a wall.  We can be as close as we want to Him.  And, He desires that intimacy with us - an intimacy that can't be found in religious actions. No, He wants us to know Him personally, not just know about Him. 

Therefore, let us come as close as we can to our God and Savior, Jesus.  Let's truly know Him that we can truly introduce the lost and dying world to Him.  Because, He is the way of Salvation for all.