Thoughts for the Day

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and, as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, 'Look, here is the Lamb of God!' The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 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?' 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. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated Anointed). He 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).

(Church in Wales Lectionary, from New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today is St Andrew's Day (the patron saint of Scotland) and our reading from John's Gospel tells us quite a lot about him. Andrew is a disciple of John the Baptist, and while the other gospels put the calling of Andrew and Simon occurring in Galilee when they are cleaning their nets, John's Gospel has him at Bethany, near Jerusalem.

Andrew immediately tells his brother, Simon, that he has seen the Messiah, and he takes him to see Jesus. From then it is Peter, James and John, who will be at the centre of Jesus' ministry, but it is Andrew who has the heart for mission. It is he who brings the boy with the loaves and fishes to Jesus (John 6.8, 9) and later some Greeks (John 12.22). He is also content for his brother to take the limelight.

Importantly we should note that when Andrew follows Jesus, it is Jesus who turns and invites him into his company. Anytime we decide to turn to Jesus, he will meet us half-way.

Monday 30th November, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
help us to remember
that when we ignore You in our lives,
it only takes a second
to turn to You
and You will be there,
already waiting for us.
Amen