35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).
There are many reasons why people separate from their loved ones despite not wanting to do so. For some, it is practical. The need to work might beckon us to another region or country. Opting for the school of their choice, students are, oftentimes, willing to relocate themselves. Sometimes, separation happens because of changing interpersonal dynamics. A simple change in lifestyle could have dramatic effects on a person’s social life. A baby requires so much attention and care that those who were formerly close must now take a backseat. What did it take for John’s disciples to leave him?
All he had to do was point. One could imagine John the Baptist saying, “Look there! Behold, the Lamb of God!That’s the guy that I’ve been talking about all this time!” His whole life was dedicated to making much of Jesus. Thus, Andrew and his companion were eagerly awaiting the day when the Lamb of God would show up. That is why all John had to do was point.
This narrative marks a dramatic shift in discipleship. When they followed John, they were following a man whose message was about someone else. When they began to follow Jesus, they were following God whose message was about God. This is exceedingly paradigmatic!
Then, a strange conversation occurs. Jesus asks them what they are seeking. They respond by calling Jesus “Rabbi.” By doing so they are accepting Jesus as their teacher. But it almost seems presumptuous for them to ask immediately after, “where are you staying,” without getting formal approval from him; disciples during that time were expected to live and eat with their teachers. There is, however, no indication that Jesus was offended. In fact, he willingly allowed them to enter into his company.
Both Jesus and the disciples knew that discipleship happens through integration. Relationships are formed when people become involved with each other. I could read one hundred books on women, but still end up having no clue who my wife really is. To know her is to be with her. Real discipleship requires a certain amount of intimacy. God disciples us in this way.
First, he invites us into his presence first through the Gospel. Jesus Christ died for our sins, so that we can be united with God without interference from our sinfulness. Then God uses people like Andrew and his companion as first-hand witnesses, whose testimony of being discipled by Jesus is handed down from generation to generation, primarily through the Bible. God also uses Christ-like people, who are shaped by the gospel, to disciple us into a relationship with God. As a result, we can echo with Jesus’ disciples, “We have found the Messiah!”
Who is your rabbi, friend? Who is discipling you? Who are you discipling? In light of the individualistic worldview of many North Americans, these are appropriate questions to ask ourselves. I pray that we would not alienate ourselves from the grace we receive through others, and the grace we could give to others. This is our calling as Christians, for Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20).
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