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John 1:47-51
All throughout Jesus’ life there were people who were drawn to Him. People followed Him wherever He went. We see here in this first Chapter of the book of John, Jesus calling those to follow Him. And it didn’t seem to always be that they found Jesus in the same way, or that He found them in the same way.
There is a diversity of people who follow Jesus. Even His own Disciples – “D” – come from different places. Some He finds and calls them to follow, others hear about Him and come to hear or come to see who this teacher is who teaches with such authority.
And it seems to me that no matter how they came to find Jesus, they all come to the same conclusion. Jesus indeed is the Messiah the Son of God.
John 1:47-51 (NLT) 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.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”
When we read this passage I believe we find ourselves here, right here in the Gospel story. Because which of us has not come from a point of doubt to a place of belief much like Nathaniel?
At some point in our lives, maybe even this very moment, Jesus is thrust upon us in a way where He becomes completely real. We’ve seen that here throughout Chapter 1 of the book of John. And yet – Thomas holds out until chapter 20, but don’t get down on him for that – and we will talk about it later – it’s ok to doubt, this is how our faith in Jesus strengthens – but that’s a discussion for another day. The point I’m trying to make this morning, is simply that Jesus is still calling. He is still calling for us to come and see and believe.
In their book God Still Calls: Discerning God’s Direction for Service. © 2017 Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City. Dr. Mark Maddix and Dr. Stephen Riley put together some thoughts about God calling people into vocational ministry. But here is what they said about all Christians:
“In the New Testament, the concept of diakonos [ministers] is applied universally to all who are members of the Christian community. In the New Testament, ministry never signifies ecclesial office; rather, it refers to leaders’ function of serving the church. Therefore, Christians as ministers of the gospel are called to serve Christ and the church. This is the vocation of all Christians.” (p.12).
It's simple, we are all called to Jesus in some fashion. And Christians are all called to minister to the people around them. Not just pastors or board members, not just Sunday School Teachers or Small Group leaders, it’s up to all of us – me and you because we are all called to Christ Jesus.