“Evangelism is not born out of pity or duty but is the overflow of a lived encounter with the living God.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 3, 2022
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. 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.” John 1:43-45, ESV
In John 1, we find Jesus calling the first disciples to himself, drawing them in, and inviting them to share in his mission of love and justice. Interestingly, we note in today’s passage that Jesus found Philip. He did not stumble upon him or happen to be in the same place at the same time. No, he found him and sought him out, like a good shepherd who finds a sheep that has gone astray. Though established here in these early interactions with his disciples, this becomes the pattern by which Jesus invites people close in each and every age. We are lost and need to be found, and Christ in his mercy comes to us and says “Follow me.”
Philip was a man of great learning, one who had dedicated years of his life to the study of the faith and especially to the Hebrew scriptures. His heart was longing to see God and to see the promises of God fulfilled, and he wasn’t alone in this pursuit! As John reminds us, after this encounter with Christ, Philip goes to Nathanael and speaks of Jesus as “him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote.” Philip in close succession is found by Christ and is finding others to bring them close to Christ.
Though in some ways unique and specific to Philip and Nathanael, found and finding can still be embraced as a way of life into which each of us is invited!
Your journey of faith begins and ends with Jesus. He is the one who finds and seeks us out when we are lost and searching. He comes to us and shows us the way, and his Spirit guides and directs our steps as we submit to him each and every day. And yet, a key part of this journey with Christ is to cultivate an awareness of others and a desire for them to encounter the life that you now know in Christ. This is, in truth, the very heart of evangelism.
Evangelism is not born out of pity or duty but is the overflow of a lived encounter with the living God. When we experience the wonder of being loved and known by Jesus, how can we not find those who are dear to us and invite them to “come and see” (John 1:46)? Today, give thanks that Jesus found you, and in love go and find others, bringing them close to him that they too may be transformed by his love.
Prayer
Father, thank you for finding me in my weakness and need. As you strengthen me and make me whole, give me eyes of compassion for my friends and neighbors, inviting them into the love that I have found, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Are there simple steps you can take to invite someone you love to draw near to Christ today?
Related Reading
2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 3:15-16
Worship Resource
Audrey Assad and Sarah Kroger: How Can I Keep from Singing?
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