This is the third of our 2021 New Year teaching series to help us fix our eyes, our hopes and our hearts on Jesus as we look at eight Invitations he makes in the Gospels.

 John 1:35-39 (NRSVUK)

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning round, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’ They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’ ‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 

1.     John the Baptist knew he was the “the warmup – to get the audience pumped, primed and ready for the main act.” He was “the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘make straight the way of the Lord’” (John 1:23), and now here was the Lord – Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). John “was not the Light”, but he knew how to point to the one who was “the true light, which enlightens everyone.” (John 1: 6-9). 

2.     I notice three things about John in the passage we read. First, he was with two of his disciples. Second, he had his eyes on Jesus. And third, he pointed his disciples to Jesus using language that meant something to them. 

·       You may not have ‘disciples’, but there are probably a few people who might listen to you because you are a friend or a neighbour. Ask God to highlight one or two people you know and begin to pray for them. How could you begin one of those ‘courageous conversations’ Christian Guy spoke about? (Em Rd 10/01/21)

·       How might Jesus make sense to your friends? Right now, do you think they are needing ‘the Lord’, ‘the Light’, or ‘the Lamb’? What does each of those aspects of Jesus mean to you? What might it mean to them? What do you think are they looking for?

·       You may not have disciples, but If you are on social media you may have ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ – you may even be an ‘influencer! Is there a way to use your online presence to help people to see Jesus?

3.     Jill talked about how John’s disciples became ‘lurkers’ around Jesus. She asked the question, “who are we lurking around right now? Why do we follow them?”

·       Are there podcasts, blogs (remember them), YouTube channels etc. that you are finding helpful right now? Or new music, perhaps? Are there any places you think others in your collective might enjoy lurking? 

4.     Jesus asks the ‘lurkers’, “What are you looking for?” They replied, “Where are you staying?” They weren’t seeking information, they wanted connection – to be with him. Jesus invited them, as he invites each one of us to “Come and see.” 

·       If Jesus were to ask you right now, “What are you looking for?” what would you say? Think about it for a moment, are you looking for an answer to a question? (why is this happening? What should I do now?) Or, perhaps, an intervention (I’m looking for a miracle). Or would you say, “Where are you staying?” – Where can I hang out with you? Where can I be with you right now?

·       Where can you be with Jesus right now?

·       Think back for a moment on your life as you have followed Jesus, what have you seen?

5.     Jesus follows up his call to “Come and see” with a challenge to “Go and do”.

·       Is there anything Jesus is challenging you to go and do right now?

Acts 4:13 (NIVUK)

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.