Share Christ with your Neighbor • John 1:40-49
By Clay Anthony
In 1849, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California. Ever since that moment, whenever a valuable treasure such as gold (or your lost car keys) are found, the word EUREKA! has been loudly proclaimed. We are so overjoyed that we found something that is precious that we want others to celebrate with us.
That word is actually a Greek word that means, “I have found it.” How happy we would be if indeed we discovered a rare gem or several nuggets of gold. Indeed, we would shout, “We have found it!”
This same idea is played out in the lives of two disciples in today’s text. We read that John the Baptist has begun the transition to the backseat so Jesus can take His rightful place out in front of the people. Two of John’s followers (Andrew and John) are sent after Jesus upon John the Baptist’s instructions.
There was zero doubt in their minds as to who Jesus was. John the Baptist twice pointed out a clear distinction for Jesus (1:29 and 1:36). Jesus was no ordinary teacher. He was indeed the Messiah. This discovery was too significant to keep to themselves. They had to tell others.
Would you agree that the hardest people with whom to speak concerning Jesus is often family? They know many of our faults and we rationalize that they know us too well to listen.
Yet what we see is Andrew skipping past crowds around John the Baptist and making a beeline for the one person that he knows who really needs an introduction to Jesus. Verse 41 reads of overwhelming brotherly love: “He first found his own brother . . .”
As the youngest of four boys, I understand seeing the blemishes in the lives of siblings. John knew of Simon Peter’s flaws. He knew what kind of life and schedule and family his brother kept. Andrew knew that Simon Peter’s greatest need was not health or the next big catch of fish.
Can you see the scene? Simon, you will not believe who I just met! EUREKA! We are further told that Andrew did not stop with just words. Verse 42 records that he physically took his brother to Jesus.
Was Simon too busy? Was Simon uninterested? We are not told but we know that no excuse would work. One brother loved his brother too much to leave him out of a grand introduction that eventually changed everything about the man.
Speaking to close friends comes in a close second after family in terms of difficulty when discussing Jesus. In the following verses we see another of Jesus’ earliest followers again using the EUREKA! sentiment after his own introduction to Jesus.
The day after Simon’s interaction with Jesus, Philip meets Jesus. We are told he was from the same hometown as Andrew and Simon Peter (v.44). Any guesses how Philip heard about Jesus? What is Philips first action? He went straight to a close friend Nathanael (v.45).
This man had a great way about him. He was certainly wise and inquisitive. How do we know this? From Jesus Himself, who admitted as much in verse 47. How would one react to hearing the Lamb of God give such a testimony concerning their life? Jesus knew the man’s searching heart would only be satisfied by finding rest in Him, and this was after Nathanael had actually hurled an insult towards Jesus (v.46).
Now what of us? Just consider the contact list in your phone. Who on that list really needs an introduction to Jesus? Any name you see belong to a friend who is simply not living according to God’s Word?
Please understand that the awkwardness you feel when thinking of broaching a conversation with these people is normal. In my job I travel often to other contexts and countries. I find that speaking about Jesus with complete strangers who may or may not speak English has become rather easy. However, if I were honest, it is the people to whom I am related or close that bring me trepidation.
My prayer for myself and you is a simple one: that we would take a clue from those first followers of Jesus and simply get over the fact that awkwardness happens. Beyond the awkward feeling is the fact that Jesus still saves people.
That is a fact that we have found to be grander than gold or lost car keys, and is worth sharing.
Anthony is director of the Collaborative Missionary Network, Oxford/Holly Springs.
