January
4, 2003
WE
HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH!
"One
of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew,
Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon,
and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated,
the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus" (John 1:40-42,
NKJV).
"On
the following day, while two disciples were standing near,
John again saw Jesus among the people. Again the face of the
prophet was lighted up with glory from the Unseen, as he cried,
'Behold the Lamb of God!' The words thrilled the hearts of
the disciples. They did not fully understand them. What meant
the name that John had given Him, --'the Lamb of God'? John
himself had not explained it.
"Leaving
John, they went to seek Jesus. One of the two was Andrew,
the brother of Simon; the other was John the evangelist. These
were Christ's first disciples. Moved by an irresistible impulse,
they followed Jesus,--anxious to speak with Him, yet awed
and silent, lost in the overwhelming significance of the thought,
'Is this the Messiah?'
"Jesus
knew that the disciples were following Him. They were the
first fruits of His ministry, and there was joy in the heart
of the divine Teacher as these souls responded to His grace.
Yet turning, He asked only, 'What do you seek?' He would leave
them free to turn back or to speak of their desire.
"Of
one purpose only were they conscious. One presence filled
their thought. They exclaimed, "Rabbi... where are You
staying?' In a brief interview by the wayside they could not
receive that for which they longed. They desired to be alone
with Jesus, to sit at His feet, and hear His words. 'He said
to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where
He was staying, and remained with Him that day.' (John 1:39)...
"They
had responded to the Holy Spirit's call in the preaching of
John the Baptist. Now they recognized the voice of the heavenly
Teacher. To them the words of Jesus were full of freshness
and truth and beauty. A divine illumination was shed upon
the teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures. The many-sided
themes of truth stood out in new light...
"Andrew
sought to impart the joy that filled his heart. Going in search
of his brother Simon, he cried, 'We have found the Messiah.'
Simon waited for no second bidding. He also had heard the
preaching of John the Baptist, and he hastened to the Saviour."--
The Desire of Ages, pp. 138, 139.
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