Did you set a resolution or intention for 2024? Are you still practicing it? We set resolutions, start programs, go to classes often to help us change something we know needs changing.

Have you ever had a book change your life? The gospel of John did that for mine. John was with Jesus in person. Jesus changed Johns's life too, and he tells us all about Jesus changing other peoples lives too.

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Here is a reflection on John's gospel as soul food for you this month.

Be aware of what get's your attention. Whatever speaks is meant for your hungry soul.

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John 1: 35-50

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”

“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.

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Reflection

The greatest human need to is to know and be known to love and be loved.

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I once surveyed random people on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder Colorado. A professional videographer recorded my short interviews, later turning them into an insightful video for our pastor. I would approach individuals, couples, groups of people with microphone in hand, and asked: If you believed in God and could ask him for anything, what would it be?

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A majority of adults replied: world peace.

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The most honest reply I think, came from a boy of about 10. He said: a swimming pool.

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I believe John 1:38 is worth memorizing:

“Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.”​
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In this passage we get to see Jesus’ first interactions with the young men who would spend three years up close and personal with Jesus. They would walk, learn, eat, sleep, watch Jesus and learn a lot about themselves, the kingdom of God, the ways of Jesus, and the most important law of love. But first, Jesus saw them, the ones he already knew. He begins their relationship by looking right at them and asking a question. “What do you want?”

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Verses 29-50 are filled with the words ‘look’ and ‘see’. John shouts, “Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Philip tells a friend, “come and see for yourself.” But Jesus also looked and saw and had already seen these boys. Jesus previous knowledge, crushed Nathaniels doubt and birthed his belief. Jesus knew them before they met.

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Followers of Jesus, you are known and loved by the Lamb of God, and he is interested in an honest and intimate relationship. Conversation happens in meaningful relationships and the one we have with the Messiah is of the highest importance. Jesus Messiah knows hungry people have needs, desires, longings, questions, and ideas. He knows you do and is interested in you expressing what is on your mind, and in your heart.

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What do you want from Jesus?

Prayer:

“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

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You know when I sit down or stand up.

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You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
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You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.

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You know everything I do.

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You know what I am going to say before I say it, Lord.
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You go before me and follow me.

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You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

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Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!”

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​From Psalm 139 NLT

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Love and Peace

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