Be Changed // John 1:41-42
When I was a kid most of my friends mispronounced my name. It was never Jeremy (Jer-ah-me), usually, it sounded like germy (ger-me). I didn’t want people to think I had germs! While I sometimes wished for a new name as a child, I have grown to like it. What I realized is with Jesus, my identity is new and means more than my name. When I looked at the verses in John 1:41-42 and saw how Jesus called Simon, Peter, it made me wonder how impactful that would have been for him. It was a simple change, but it had a profound effect on his life.
Jesus had a purpose in calling him Peter. The name Simon during that day would have meant- to hear, be heard, or a reputation. Simon was a fisherman who probably wanted to be thought of more highly than he was, maybe you can relate? Sometimes a name, a title, a role, or something that identifies changes and it changes everything else around it for us. That is why Simon being called Peter is impactful. Jesus in that moment through a small statement, had changed Simon/Peter’s life. He called Simon to Peter and gave him a new identity and a new reputation. Peter was now the rock and Jesus knew the disciples, the church, and even us today would need to see change. Peter becoming the rock of the early church was that change..
When we received Jesus and became his, our identity changed. He did not need to change our name, instead, he gave us life (2 Cor. 5:17), he gave identity (Eph. 2:10), and purpose (1 Peter 2:9). This is so good! We now have the opportunity to proclaim what he has done. Similar to Simon/Peter sharing his new name with people which the Messiah, Jesus, gave to him. We get to share what Jesus has done for us. Take a few moments to think about what Jesus has done for your identity, how he changed things, and thank him for it. Then go and share it!
Jeremy Johnson
Family Pastor
Follow Me
We follow a lot of things these days. Athletic teams, political parties,
celebrities, internet groups, and more are what we choose to follow for
various reasons. Some people aspire to be followed and claim to have
thousands or even millions of followers. Some of these people are called
influencers and often make money from companies whose products they
encourage followers to buy. Others have a viewpoint to espouse, evil or
good, and may get followers in that way. They all say “Follow me.”
But when Jesus says “Follow me”, it is something entirely different. In
John 1:35-37, we read of two disciples of John the Baptist, choosing not
only to follow Jesus physically but to choose Jesus to be their Rabbi. They
did this because of John’s proclamation of Jesus as the One he had been
proclaiming. In those days, a Rabbi’s disciples were with him 24/7, living
as he lived and learning from his teaching. In verse 43, we read Jesus saying
to Philip, “Follow me.” And Philip did, immediately! What an invitation to
be with Jesus 24/7! That same invitation is for followers of Christ today!
Being a follower of Christ begins when we trust what He did on the cross,
but it is only the beginning as we grow in trusting in the living Christ in us,
minute by minute, day by day, forever. This is a 24/7 life of living centered
on Him. John Ortberg says in his book Eternity is Now in Session, “To
“trust Jesus” in the Gospels simply means to think He is right about
everything.” Now that is a life-changing perspective! What does this look
like? As followers/disciples, we love Him and love others; we forgive as we
have been forgiven; we are radically truthful; we are generous; we seek to
do what Jesus says, we begin each day centered on Him and so much
more. But this is not onerous, it is freeing and joyful because He is doing it
in us, partnering with our choice to follow Him. In John 10:10b, Jesus
says, “I am come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” If you
want that life, then choose to say “Yes” when Jesus says “Follow Me.”
Pray: Ask God to show you how you have followed Him. Ask God to show
you where He wants you to grow in living 24/7 with Him. Pray that you
might have joy in the process of growing! Be still and listen. Thank Him.
Francie Overstreet
“You wanna come with me?”
I didn’t know how to respond at first. I had always heard about cliff diving, but it was never something I thought I’d actually do, being out of my realm of comfort. Zack, one of my best friends, knew a lot about cliff diving though. He’s the classic surfer-bro type of guy to do anything and everything to get his adrenaline pumping. He was my only hope of breaking free from the boring cycle of monotony homeschooling gives you unless you get out and do something about it. He got me out to do something about it. Without him, I’d have no sense of humor, no passion for the thrills of life, nor any sense of adventure.
One day, Zack called me out of the blue in the middle of the week. Zack doesn’t call you unless either (1) his car exploded again, (2) he wants to plan a party, or (3) you’re about to go on an adventure with him whether you like it or not. With a bubbling concoction of exhilaration and nervous hesitation, I picked it up faster than a caffeinated roadrunner.
“Hey Zack, what’s up man?” I asked.
“Nothing much man! Just wanted to call and see what’s up with you!” Zack replied.
“I’m good, man, what are you up to?”
“Dude, I’m about to go cliff diving up in San Clemente!”
“Woah! What? That’s crazy man!”
“Yeah man, I’m about to head out.”
In the brief moment of pause, I could already hear it coming…
“You wanna come with me?”
By four o’clock, we were in San Clemente at a secret beach he and maybe five other people knew about. We had no lifeguard, only a few witnesses, and a ravenous eagerness to hurl ourselves off of a thirty-something foot ledge and into the ocean. I cannot tell you what cliff jumping is like. I could describe to you every detail, but it’s just not nearly the same as living it. The rush, the risk, the reward, all of it is just a pure assault on your senses that cannot be contained in words. For me, this is what life in Christ is akin to.
No words can capture the full experience that Jesus offers. I’ve tried to explain it to my peers on many occasion, but I always fall short or do it a mighty disservice. You really just have to try it for yourself. This is why Jesus’s invitation is not simply one to receive some hidden knowledge or grandiose ideology. It’s an invitation to experience for ourselves a life greater than our current existence.
“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?’ And they said to him, ‘Rabbi’ […] ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and you will see.’ […]”
John 1:38-39 ESV
I find it intriguing that Jesus’s first disciples asked for a “rabbi” or in our language, a teacher—someone who could enlighten their minds with wise and true sayings. What they received was neither a lesson, nor a curriculum, but an invitation to come and experience for themselves what He was all about, life and life in abundance (John 10:10). Jesus didn’t offer hedonistic, self-indulgent ideals many think of when they hear “the life.” He proposed something so much greater: a new way, a new truth, a new life, all centered on love, put on display by his life, death, and resurrection. Jesus makes this same invitation to us to this very day.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
Psalms 34:8 ESV
I don’t get the sense what Jesus desires is a load of hyper-fans who know a lot about Him, but have never taken the time to walk or talk with Him. No, He desires for us to take refuge in Him. Not just hang around him because He’s the most popular guy at the party, but to abide in him (John 15), surround ourselves with Himself, and to taste and see for ourselves how good The Life really is.
Since reading this passage, I no longer look at my Bible the same way. No longer is it just a book of wise sayings and good theology for me. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly is that, but it’s so much more. Instead, every time I crack it open now, I feel like I’m opening an envelope to the King’s banquet, or I’m getting that call from my best friend. I don’t want to just hear about the feast, I want to eat it. I don’t want to just read about cliff diving, I want to take the jump myself. Now, when I see those red letters on the page and I can hear Jesus ask, “You wanna come with me?”
So now only one question remains. Will you accept the invitation? Will you dive in with me? Are you coming with? Amen.
Jared Graf
What are YOU Seeking?
John 1:38
Questions are powerful. They have a way of inviting conversation and engagement with another person. They have a way of causing people to make a decision. “Will you marry me?” is a question that demands a response. A well-placed question can cause people to think and rethink their approach to life. Maybe that’s the reason Jesus was so keen on asking questions. There are 339 questions recorded in the gospels that Jesus asked.
In fact, the very first words that John recorded Jesus speaking are a question. Up to this point, John’s gospel has been talking about Jesus, but now Jesus talking. This is the Logos, the eternal Son of God, the one “with” God, the one who perfectly reveals God… and he’s speaking. I would assume that God would come and make declarations… maybe even threats, but what we see is that he asks questions. It’s a kind of grace. Questions are a key part of Jesus’ evangelistic technique - then and now.
In John 1:38 we read,
“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?”
What a great question… and what a hard question to answer. I remember vividly when my counselor asked me, “What do you hope to get out of that?” It was such a poignant question that it stopped me in my tracks. I’m not sure I’d thought about that - at least not consciously. I was operating on autopilot like so many of us often do. I hadn’t stopped to really think about the question. What was driving me? What was the thing that was making me push so hard? What was I seeking?”
So let me ask you, what are YOU seeking? Are you seeking healing? Are you seeking hope? Are you seeking significance? Are you seeking purpose? Are you seeking intimacy? Are you seeking rest? One of the reasons Jesus begins with this question is because discipleship is an invitation to have our deepest desires met in Jesus. He doesn’t always meet the desires that are strongest in us, but he does meet the desires that are deepest within our hearts.
Today, take some time and think about what you’re really seeking - what you really, truly, and deeply want. Think about why you want that thing. Then, tell Jesus and have a conversation with him about the way he might want to satisfy your deepest longings.
Pastor Ryan Paulson
SPIRIT
This story was found on an online sermon illustration website, but the story’s source is unknown.
In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push.
After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years. Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life.
For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
There are many times in the Old Testament when people received power from the Holy Spirit. The book of Judges lists six times when the Spirit of the Lord stirred or came powerfully upon someone, four of those times were on Sampson. These instances of the Spirit’s coming were for moments of inspiration or power but they did not last. It wasn’t until Jesus' arrival that the Holy Spirit arrived and remained. This was the testimony of John the Baptist.
And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. John 1:32-34
After Jesus’ baptism, there was a visual sign of the Holy Spirit and an audible voice of God the Father confirming that Jesus was God’s son. John proclaimed that Jesus baptizes his followers with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, mind, courage, and breath, (all words used to translate the Hebrew word ruach in the OT) of God lives, dwells, and remains in believers. It would be a shame to live unconnected to Him.
Dr. John Riley
Jr. High Pastor
Who are you? John 1:19-34
Hello Family, I want to talk about what we would say about our own identities. In this passage we see some priests trying to force John to identify himself. John ardently denied all the titles they offered and claimed only a subservient role to Jesus.
When people want us to identify ourselves, we are then forced to reveal what we think or believe about ourselves. We have various descriptions we’ve earned, eg: accountant, programmer, even husband, or parent. they all announce things we do or things that are important to us. If suddenly life changes and we are no longer able to be what we used to be, we feel lost and wonder who we are. This is how we know we need to shift our identity.
In Matthew 11 Jesus speaks a lot about John and he says that John is in fact some of what the priests suggest. So we see John would have been correct in assuming those titles, so taking a title based on what you do isn’t the point. We are who the Lord tells us we are, we are his son or daughter. He teaches us what all that means in the course of our lives. We learn who we truly are from his Word and the more we live it out, the more we, ourselves, believe it.
Whatever occupation we have or title we have been given is ultimately not able to support our identity. If we conflate who we are with what we do, our very identity is one mistake away from being lost. That will ruin ourselves and whatever we tried to put our identity in, maybe not right away, but soon enough. If we, like John, identify with Jesus, we’ll always know who we are no matter where life takes us
Jonathan Duncan
Recognize
In John 1:31 and 33 John the Baptist makes a rather amazing statement. He says that he “did not recognize” Jesus. But how could this be? His mother, Elizabeth, and Jesus’ mother, Mary, are relatives (Luke 1:36). This means John probably saw Jesus from time to time at family gatherings, maybe in Jerusalem at the Passover, and perhaps at other times when Feast Days were celebrated. I feel comfortable saying that John knew who Jesus was.
Which means there is something else going on here. John knew Jesus on one level, but he did not know Jesus on quite another. Even as they grew up together, John did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. He did not recognize Jesus as the Son of Man, as divinity in a body, as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” At least not until it was revealed to him by God Himself.
Some reading this devotional today know Jesus through the Scriptures. They know Him to be a great teacher. A man who did miracles. And they may even think He rose from the dead. But they don’t recognize Him as their God or as their Savior. Perhaps today will be the day they do?
Others reading this devotional today do know Jesus personally. They have established a relationship with Him through faith. But they may erroneously believe that what they know is all there is to know. John’s experience tells us that just isn’t true. There is way more to Jesus than they, or you, or I have known through experience. There has to be. He is an infinite Being!
I guess the call from God today to all of us is this - don’t stop pursuing a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. There is more to know. More to experience. More to enjoy. More to find delight in. Don’t be satisfied with where you are today. Ask God to give you the gift and ability to “recognize” Jesus for who He really is.
Scott Smith
Care Pastor
Making Straight Paths
It's easy to get off course in our Christian life. In order to walk a straight path, it is necessary to recognize the “crooked” areas of our lives that need straightening. The writer of Proverbs provides valuable insight: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight paths ”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Our paths can become “crooked”: when we fail to acknowledge God in everyday living; or when we fail to trust His wisdom and choose what we may deem to be a better option.
Many times when important decisions need to be made, we have the tendency to leave God out of the equation, and in doing so, we veer off the straight path. According to this Proverb, it is God who handles the straightening of our lives; but He can’t do that if we are not acknowledging Him in every aspect of life, and trusting that the way He provides is best. Often God’s path may require waiting, but we are impatient and looking for a shortcut.
Abraham and Sarah grew weary on God’s path and decided to take matters into their own hands, and we all know how that turned out. Even in that Abraham and Sarah returned to God and He was faithful to keep His promise. Are you on the straight path? Are there any obstacles in the way of your relationship with Jesus? Remember, it’s never too late to change direction; there is always an opportunity with God to straighten your path!
Margy Hill
Why the Wilderness?
One of the traditions in our family, as we raised our children, was telling
how they came to be in our family. On the morning of each birthday, we
would awaken the birthday child, give them a cupcake with a candle, sing
the ‘happy birthday’ song and tell them the story of their entrance into
becoming an Overstreet. It was a fun and meaningful tradition.
When thinking about the story of John the Baptist, he must have been told
multiple times about the miracle surrounding his birth and God’s call on his
life (Luke 1:3-25, 57-65). We don’t know if birthdays were celebrated, but
certainly, the circumstances and prophecies about his life were well known.
In Luke 1:80 we read “John grew up and became strong in the spirit. And
he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.”
Hence the question, why the wilderness? Perhaps God wanted John away
from the expectations of others and in a place where He could hone the
message John was to shout! He needed a place of solitude with no
distraction so John could have clarity of his calling. In that Judean
wilderness, people from all over came to see and hear John tell them to
repent, turn to God, and get ready for the Lord’s coming.
God often used the wilderness to get His people to hear Him. Moses was
in the wilderness (Exodus 1:1-15) when God spoke to him from a burning
bush and told him to lead the rescue of the Hebrews from Egypt. Elijah was
running away from Jezebel (I Kings 19:1-15) and he ran into the
wilderness to a cave. In that cave, he could finally hear the gentle whisper
of God, be comforted, and learn what he was to do next. Our dear Lord
Jesus Himself was led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1-17) to show us victory
over temptation, but also many times during the following three years he
went there to pray!
Perhaps we could consider the barrenness of the wilderness an
invitation rather than a punishment. Perhaps there is intention in the
wilderness, not desolation. The spiritual practice of silence and solitude
does not need a desert but it does need intention. Finding a place where
we can choose to “Be still and know that I am God” causes us to be able to
hear Him.
“He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear because of the
noise, hurry, and distraction which life causes as it rushes on.” Fredrick Faber
Reflection: What might God’s purpose be for you to be in the ‘wilderness?’
How do you respond to such an invitation? Sit quietly and ponder this
practice for yourself.
My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Psalm 27:8 (NLT)
Francie Overstreet
Jesus Resembles God
"No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known." - John 1:18
I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that this might be one of the most important theological statements in the entire Bible! John, the author of this statement, was raised to be a good, devout Jewish man who knew the scriptures and who knew God. In fact, I’d say that John grew up knowing God better than 99.99% of the world in those days. This is because John’s people were the people of the Book. The very book about God and about God’s interactions with humanity. John would have been raised on the principles and stories of their book. Nowadays, we call their book the “Old Testament,” and we still believe that it contains the very words of God. We still believe that this book contains accurate information about God. But, apparently , according to John, the Old Testament just wasn’t enough to really “see” God. Can you believe that John had the audacity to say that “no one has ever seen God” and that Jesus is the one who now “made him known”? I mean, did he forget about Adam & Eve, Enoch, Moses, or all the prophets? Didn’t they make God known? What is John saying here?
Maybe John is making a comparison. I don’t think we should read him as saying anything negative about the Old Testament, but something incredibly positive about how closely Jesus resembles God. Have you ever caught a glimpse of yourself in the reflection of a window and thought to yourself, “I look pretty good.” Only to walk by a mirror to find that your hair is a mess and your shirt collar is all a mess? Maybe that’s just me. It is amazing how much better you can see all the details when you look in a good mirror. And this is what Jesus was. He was the best mirror that we have ever had of the reflection of God. The image of God that we get in the Old Testament, was like the reflection of a window pane… you can sorta make it out, it’s better than nothing, but the image is unclear and a bit fuzzy.
However, after meeting Jesus, God was no longer fuzzy. John wrote these words after living alongside Jesus as his disciple, and then after living under the influence of the Spirit for many years. John had really come to see who God was because he had seen Jesus. And that is what he wants us to experience as we read his book. He wants us to experience God as he is explained through Jesus. Let’s pray that we would this year as we study the book of John.
Josh Rose
Discipleship Pastor
