Lent Guide 2
Scripture: John 1:35-42 (ESV)
The next day again John [the Baptist] was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 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?” 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 [4pm]. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
Reflection:
In the passage above, three different titles are ascribed to Jesus: first, he is the Lamb of God; second, he is our Rabbi; and third, he is the Messiah.
- As the Lamb of God, Jesus offered himself as the perfect sacrifice, making atonement for our sins.
- As our Rabbi, Jesus teaches us both the way of heaven and the way to heaven.
- As the Messiah, Jesus is our anointed King who mercifully saves and perfectly rules.
By divine design, John the Baptist’s ministry heralded the coming of one greater than himself. The day after baptizing Jesus in the River Jordan, John is with two of his own disciples (one of whom is Andrew) when he sees Jesus approaching. Joyfully, John tells them they are beholding the “Lamb of God.” Intrigued, they follow. When asked what they seek, they address Jesus as their teacher, calling him “Rabbi.” He invites them to his camp where, over dinner, they spend the first of many long nights around a fire in the company of the finest, wisest, and greatest teacher who ever lived. Andrew intuitively knows Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” is meant to be shared with others, and he rushes to bring his older brother, Simon, saying, “We have found the Messiah.”
This account describes the first call that Christ gives to Andrew and Peter. During this first encounter, they are called to discipleship and to follow Jesus as Lamb, Rabbi, and Messiah. Later, St. Matthew recounts how, once back at home in Galilee, during their second encounter with Jesus, they were also called to leave their jobs as fishermen and become evangelists, or as Jesus puts it, “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-22).
The painting below depicts the scene of this second call, whereafter Andrew and Peter will proclaim to others that Jesus is the Lamb, Rabbi, and Messiah and invite them into a life-changing relationship with him.
The Calling of Saint Peter and Saint Andrew – James Tissot
In the later part of the 19th Century, the French painter James Tissot experienced a religious vision while at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris. This experience revived his dormant Christian faith and led to a drastic career pivot; previously, he had been a very successful “high-society” painter, but after his vision, he spent the rest of his life painting scenes from the Bible, including a series of 365 paintings chronicling the life of Christ. The series became a sensation, earning him critical acclaim, widespread fame, and the Legion of Honour (the French equivalent to our Presidential Medal of Freedom).
While painters have drawn inspiration from the pages of the Bible for centuries, a great deal of religious art presents the subjects as though on a stage, posed for a tableau. One striking aspect of Tissot’s treatment of his religious subject matter is the way he places the viewer in the scene as if to invite you along, bidding with his brushstrokes, “Come and see.” Looking at this painting, it is easy to imagine yourself standing just behind them as if Jesus is also calling you to follow.
In truth, he is calling you. Whether it is a call to give up your profession, as was the case for Andrew and Peter, or a call to repurpose your profession, as was the case for James Tissot, Jesus has a job for you. The calling to proclaim Jesus as Lamb, Rabbi, and Messiah and to invite others to behold and follow him is the calling of every Christian. How will you answer his call to you this week?
Contemplation & Prayer:
Sit. Relax. Close your eyes and imagine yourself beholding Jesus. As you pray the prayer below, feel free to add your own requests and praises between each petition provided.
Pray:
Jesus, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Jesus, my Rabbi, teach me your ways and guide me today, that I may be an instrument of your peace.
Jesus Messiah, thank you for saving me and for reigning in my heart as you reign in heaven and over all the earth.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia. Amen.
Action & Invitation:
Today or throughout this week…
- Listen to composer Samuel Barber’s Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), which Greg Hobbs, Director of Music, selected as a companion piece for this week’s devotional text.
- Write a list of people who have been your very own “Andrew,” who have helped introduce you to Jesus, and who God used to help bring you to faith. Reflect on how they “brought you to Jesus” the way Andrew did for Peter. Give thanks to God for them. If they are still alive, consider writing them a thank you note, telling them how God used them in your life.
Additional Resources for Going Deeper
Read:
- Peter’s Three Calls – A Sermon by Charles Spurgeon. A fantastic sermon by one of the best-loved preachers that touches on themes from this week’s devotional and prepares us for next week’s closer look at Peter’s subsequent encounters with Jesus.
*While we recommend these specific resources, this is not a blanket endorsement of everything these authors have written. We encourage you to read with discernment, always measuring insights against Scripture.
