When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” “Come,“ he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. (John 1:37-39)
Jesus came to this planet for a very specific reason: to save our souls. The disciples were told that he was the Lamb of God. In John 1:29 John the Baptist yells, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the World!” Andrew and another man then followed Jesus, and Jesus turned and asked them “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” They then responded by asking Jesus where he was staying. I don’t believe that was really what they wanted to know. They really wanted to know more about the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the World. They did go to where Jesus was staying and spent the day with him. What do you think they talked about with Jesus? I bet they talked about many things, but you can bet that Jesus talked about why he had come to earth and what God his Father’s plan was for him and for them. We go on to see that they later committed their lives to Jesus and followed him. Why would anyone give up their life and commit to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? The only reason I can think of is because they had come to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and was going to die on cross to take away their sins. When people come to church and hear a message from God’s word, we need to be like Jesus and ask them “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Too often after someone hears a message from God’s word at church, or bible talk or any of a number of situations, they will talk about everything from where are you staying to what is your favorite sports team. We as disciples need to get to the heart of the matter and try to help people know that the hope of having their sins taken away is still available to anyone who is willing to follow Jesus as a sold out disciple.
Mark 10:26-30 says, “The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Peter said to him, “WE HAVE LEFT EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW YOU!” I tell you the truth, “Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.” WHAT DO YOU WANT? I think everyone wants to know “Who then can be saved?” Peter tells Jesus that he and others had left everything to follow Jesus. I think Peter told Jesus that they left everything because he wanted to hear how Jesus would respond to what he did. PETER WANTED TO KNOW IF HE WAS GOING TO BE SAVED BY LEAVING EVERYTHING FOR JESUS. Jesus told him he would receive eternal life and other rewards for following Jesus. But he would also have to endure persecutions. Are you living your whole life for Jesus? As disciples, we should examine ourselves regularly to make sure we are in the faith.
2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” As a Christian, are you failing the test or passing the test? Are you single-minded for the Lord? Are the commands of the bible becoming burdensome or are they the joy of your life? Are your relationships in the church close, real and loving? Do you love your bible study? Do you have a deep conviction about sin. Do you come to church to encourage others? Is your mindset that of, “Ask not what God’s Kingdom can do for you, but what can you do for God’s Kingdom?” Do you look at yourself in God’s church as a customer or a owner? A customer comes to be served, and a owner comes to serve others. Matthew 20:26-28 tells us, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Let us all have the attitude of a servant, be faithful disciples of Christ, and follow him each and everyday in how we live our lives.
Luke 9:23-26 says, “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’ ” The only way we are going to let our lights shine for God is to live a sold out life for Jesus.
Be a Fisher of Men
Evangelism was at the heart of Jesus’ call to his disciples.
In Matthew 4:17-20 we read, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”
As Christians, we must realize that God has always intended to work though us in reaching the lost world. To share your faith with people is not just a good idea, but expected by God. “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” No one wants God to be ashamed of them at judgment. But we must not make excuses for not sharing God’s word with or co-workers, friends and family. To follow Jesus is to share your faith in Jesus. Have the faith that God will use you to help someone become a Christian.
Life is short, then we get to go to Heaven!
Love, your brother in Christ,
Chris Chloupek
