Today's Reading: John 1:35-42a

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 6:1-7:9; 1 Peter 2:13-25

“[Andrew] first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).” (John 1:41)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. John has an early encounter with two of his disciples and Jesus. John confesses, not only to the disciples but to all, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” With such a great confession of who Jesus is, how could anyone miss it? Sadly, many missed not only John’s announcement of Jesus but also Jesus Himself! However, one of John’s disciples heard that pronouncement and sought Jesus - the apostle Andrew. The first apostle of Jesus, he found his brother Peter and declared to him, “We have found the Messiah.”

Andrew’s declaration to Peter is just as important today as it was then, if not more important. Today, our focus grows ever more increasing on God’s promise of a Savior coming to fruition. It’s not a matter of wanting a Savior (because we don’t due to sin), but needing a Savior. We need Jesus to be who John says He is - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

Our sinfulness keeps us from God. Our sinfulness makes us an enemy of God and being an enemy of God only ends with death. God is not content with death and makes the promise of Jesus. As time passes by, more and more of God’s promise is revealed until John makes the startling revelation that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Andrew takes that revelation and expands on the fact that He is the Messiah.

The Messiah has come and we await His glorious return on the Last Day where He will take all believers to be with Him in heaven forever. Until that Day comes, we continue to look forward to the day of our Lord’s Nativity where He comes to us in the most unlikely of ways - a baby born to unsuspecting parents.

What Andrew proclaims to Peter continues to resonate with us today, that we have found God’s promised Savior, Jesus, the Messiah. We have found Him in the manger. We have found Him in His Word and in the bread and the wine and the water. We have found Him on the cross and we find Him as He is risen from the dead. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, by Your grace the apostle Andrew obeyed the call of Your Son to be a disciple. Grant us also to follow the same Lord Jesus Christ in heart and life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen, (Collect for St. Andrew)

- Pastor Jared Tucher serves the dual-parish of St. John – Farmer’s Retreat in Dillsboro and St. Paul, Cross Plains, Indiana.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.