John chapter 1 verses 35-42 (NIV)
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 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). And he brought him to Jesus.
Following on from yesterday’s musings, it stuck me that John carried out his calling by directing his disciples to Jesus. He didn’t get upset when they left him to follow Jesus. He was glad that they did. And they went on to tell others. John didn’t hold on to his followers, he let them go. We too must rejoice when we see others find their calling and be obedient to Jesus. If it happens to be someone that we have been mentoring and encouraging, we should feel blessed, as John was, when they have grown enough in their faith to follow Jesus wherever He wants them to go, even if they go off on a different path to our own.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that because of John’s unselfish obedience, Andrew and Peter came to know Jesus, and through them an unnumbered multitude. Help me to be supportive to new Christians so that they too can find their feet and go on to find their calling. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.