Today is Monday the 4 January, in the season of Christmas.

Josh Garrels sings ‘Fear Thou Not’.

Today, two disciples of John the Baptist become followers of Jesus. We’re going to enter into this scene imaginatively. As you hear the reading from the Gospel of John, see what comes into your mind’s eye. One of the disciples of John is Andrew. Perhaps today you could be the other one. They are at the river Jordan where John has been baptising, when Jesus passes by.

John 1:35-42

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).

Take some time to see this scene in your mind’s eye: the Jordan river . . . the surrounding landscape . . . John the Baptist . . . Andrew . . . and you beside him . . . . . . hear the sounds in that place . . . feel the sun’s heat on your face . . . smell the air . . . what’s it like to be there? . . . . . .

John says, “Look, here is the lamb of God” . . . you turn and look at Jesus walking by . . . how does he move? . . .

. . . the two of you set off after Jesus . . . He notices you’re there and stops to wait for you . . . how does he look at you? . . . He asks, “What are you looking for?” . . . how does he say it? . . .one of you replies, “Where are you staying?” . . . you hear Jesus say, “Come and see” . . . the three of you travel to where he is staying . . . . . . where do you end up? . . . what happens when you get there? . . . . . .

Let Jesus ask you again, “What are you looking for?” . . . spend some time with him as you respond to that question . . . . . .