Bring your brother to Jesus - August 3

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:97-120; PM Psalm 81, 82; Judges 7:19-8:12; Acts 3:12-26; John 1:29-42

Reading the pieces of Holy Scripture appointed each day in the Daily Office lectionary opens my eyes in many ways. One is moving through books of the Bible, taking in the stories and reflecting on the actions of God’s people across time…and the feeling of accomplishment when one book is finished and another is begun.

The last time I read today’s excerpt from John 1:29-42, I remember being moved by Jesus’ invitation for the newly recruited disciples to come and see. Two of John the Baptist’s disciples are dumbstruck when they saw the Lamb of God…so much so that they just start following Jesus. The Son of God turns around and says, “What are you looking for?” Andrew is one of those walking after Jesus…he and his unnamed companion do not answer Jesus’ question. Instead, they ask Jesus, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” The teacher responds, “Come and see.” They spend hours with Jesus. Perhaps they share a meal, tell stories, sit in peace.

Then, Andrew does this beautiful thing. Being so moved by his experience, he goes to his brother Simon. “We have found the Messiah,” he blurts out to his brother. It is a message that feels as if it is delivered with excitement and longing, satisfaction and joy. Then, Andrew brings his brother to Jesus. When the Anointed One sees Simon, he says, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas.”

So often in remembering the flow of the Bible, I think about Jesus naming Simon Peter. That is a beautiful space to imagine – what would Jesus say to you or to me, meeting face to face? And, what strikes freshly today is that Andrew brings his brother to Jesus. That glorious re-naming happens because one brother cares enough about another to share the Good News…to invite someone else in to that special space of healing and understanding and hope and refreshment.

Someone brought me to Jesus. Someone brought you to Jesus. Who else needs an invitation?

Katherine+

Questions for Self-Reflection: 

Who brought you to know Jesus?

When you have invited someone to church? To know Jesus?

Daily Challenge: 

Ponder how inviting someone to church and inviting them to know Jesus can look similar and how the two can be different. Then, pray about the power of invitation. As you feel moved, invite a brother, sister, or friend to meet Jesus.