September 29, Simply follow Him (Part 3)
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).
John 1:40-41
In part three of “Simply follow,” our focus shifts from the unnamed disciples of John the Baptist to the named disciples of Jesus. Andrew was one of the two men who heard John the Baptist announce the Christ, and from his response we discover a third fact of following Jesus:
Following Jesus expresses your “gospel story.”
John 1:40-41 prescribes through the example of Andrew the necessity of a “gospel story.” After spending time with Jesus, we are informed that the first thing Andrew did was to go to his brother with the exciting news that he had met the Messiah. This represents the foundational idea of one’s Gospel story.
The narrative depicts Andrew’s action as, “first going to his brother Simon” (verse 41). The reference to “first” can literarily be understood in one of three ways in the Gospel accounts: (1) “first” can indicate the first act of any event; (2) “first” can chronologically indicate the first act of a particular day; (3) "first” can also indicate the first of a particular kind. Option #1 represents this present narrative and indicates that having met Jesus, Andrew’s first act was a life response to the One he encountered. He immediately began to live out a new story that had begun with Jesus. And Andrew initially did this close to home; he quickly told his brother. In other narratives of John’s gospel, Andrew also served as an intermediary between others and Jesus (6:8,9; 12:22). This became his life - his gospel story.
Having met Jesus and having been invited into a real relationship with Him, your ultimate calling in life always represents living out your Gospel story before others. Your ultimate motivation for all that you do must come from the core of your identity – your gospel story. This represents you living out publicly what Christ has done within you spiritually. Your gospel story represents more than simply a decision to walk an aisle in church. Your gospel story represents more than church membership, and more than simply the good things you attempt. Your gospel story involves everything related to the change Jesus has brought to your life.
One of the clearest summaries of a gospel story from within the Scriptures rests with the Apostle Paul’s personal testimony:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
If you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the same represents your life. Take a moment to make this personal. Read again Galatians 2:20. Replace every personal reference of Paul ("I", "me") with your name. Now, read the verse as emphasizing what has happened in you as you have trusted in Jesus. This expresses the foundation of your gospel story.
How has such a truth reshaped your life? The answer to this question becomes the meaning of your gospel story. Now, go live it and share it!
Today, may your first thought be to live out your gospel story: (1) determine that your true identity is Christ; (2) resolve to live every moment according to His truths; (3) and look for opportunities to talk about Him with others.
This is your Gospel story. Make certain other people know of your story. And like Andrew, begin at home.
Blessings.
READ
Read I John 1:35-41 and recommit to simply follow Jesus.