Week 14 - Jesus begins the life he has chosen
Theme:
Jesus begins his mission in life. He will be put to the test and challenged. The results will become visible.
What I may wish to ask:
That I can see the person of Jesus more clearly and deeply; that I can continue to grow in living and working more and more as Jesus did.
Music: The Lord is my shepherd John Rutter
The Lord is my shepherd
Therefore can I lack nothing
He shall feed me in a green pasture
And lead me forth beside the waters of comfort
He shall convert my soul
And bring me forth in the paths of righteousness
For His Name's sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
For thou art with me
Thy rod and thy staff comfort me
Thou shalt prepare a table before me
Against them that trouble me
Thou hast anointed my head with oil
And my cup shall be full
But thy loving‐kindness and mercy
Shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever
“…. though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” Do I recognize this as I look at my own journey through life?
Text: John. 1.35-42 The First Disciples of Jesus
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
In order to have a pure sense of what my destiny in life should be, a journey through life is sometimes needed before hand. Another person can help me to see my life’s direction more clearly. Do I also have someone like John the Baptist in my life?
Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.”
To go with someone and follow them. Do I have the dedication and capacity to surrender myself entirely in order to follow Jesus? What has to happen in advance to make this a possibility for me?
They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
To go with Jesus and never be alone in life again. Could that also be something for me?
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 means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
The confidence and trust which Andrew had in John the Baptist, which Simon had in Andrew has resulted now, two thousand years later, in millions of people who are following Jesus. Do I see myself among all those people?
Music