Get Up and Follow Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Prepare the Way, Behold the Lamb.

Before Jesus began his public ministry, John the Baptizer played a crucial role, not by drawing attention to himself, but by humbly pointing to the One who was to come. He understood his purpose was to clear the path, to make hearts ready for the Lord's arrival. John’s clear testimony identified Jesus as the "Lamb of God," the one destined to take away the sin of the world. His unwavering focus on Jesus serves as a powerful example for us, reminding us to look beyond ourselves and toward the true source of salvation. [01:00]

John 1:23, 29
John declared, "I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, 'Make the Lord's path straight,' just as the prophet Isaiah foretold." The next day, seeing Jesus approach, John announced, "Look! The Lamb of God, who removes the world's sin!"

Reflection: In what areas of your life might you need to "clear the path" or adjust your focus so you can more clearly behold Jesus as the Lamb of God?

Day 2: Respond to Jesus' Invitation: Come and See.

Jesus extends a personal invitation to each of us, just as He did to His first disciples. When John pointed to Jesus, two of his followers immediately turned and began to follow. Jesus didn't just tell them about Himself; He invited them to "Come and you will see." This wasn't merely an invitation to a location, but to an experience, a journey of discovery that would transform their lives. It’s a call to step out in faith and personally encounter Him. [01:30]

John 1:37-39, 43
When John's two disciples heard him speak, they began to follow Jesus. Jesus turned, saw them, and asked, "What are you looking for?" They replied, "Teacher, where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come with me, and you will find out." So they went, saw where He lived, and spent the rest of that day with Him. The next day, Jesus found Philip and simply said, "Follow me."

Reflection: Where do you sense Jesus inviting you to "come and see" Him more deeply in your current circumstances, and what might that look like practically this week?

Day 3: Share the Joy of Finding Jesus.

The moment Andrew and Philip encountered Jesus, their lives were profoundly changed, and their immediate response was to share this incredible discovery with others. Andrew sought out his brother Simon, proclaiming, "We have found the Messiah!" Similarly, Philip found Nathanael, eager to tell him about Jesus of Nazareth. Their excitement was contagious, driven by the conviction that they had found the fulfillment of all their hopes. This reminds us that a genuine encounter with Jesus naturally overflows into a desire to introduce others to Him. [02:00]

John 1:40-42, 45
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who followed Jesus. The first thing he did was find his brother Simon and declare, "We have discovered the Messiah!" He then brought Simon to Jesus. Later, Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and whom the prophets also spoke of—Jesus of Nazareth, Joseph's son."

Reflection: Who in your life might God be prompting you to share the good news of Jesus with, and what is one simple, authentic way you could do that this week?

Day 4: Let Jesus Correct Your Perceptions.

Our preconceived notions, expectations, and even our desires can sometimes create a "fog" that obscures our clear view of Jesus. Nathanael's initial skepticism, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?", highlights how easily we can judge based on appearances or limited understanding. Yet, Jesus, with His divine insight, saw Nathanael's true character and knew him intimately, even before they met. This encounter teaches us the importance of allowing Jesus to challenge and refine our perceptions, revealing Himself in ways that defy our human logic and expectations. [02:30]

John 1:46-49
Nathanael questioned Philip, "Can anything good possibly come from Nazareth?" Philip simply replied, "Come and see for yourself." As Nathanael approached, Jesus remarked, "Look, a true Israelite, a man without deceit!" Nathanael asked, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered, "Before Philip called you, I saw you sitting under the fig tree." Nathanael then exclaimed, "Teacher, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

Reflection: What current expectations or assumptions about Jesus or His plan for your life might be preventing you from seeing Him more clearly, and how can you invite Him to adjust your vision?

Day 5: Follow to See Greater Things.

The journey of following Jesus is not a one-time event but a continuous apprenticeship, where we learn His message, adopt His methods, and embrace His heart. Even His closest disciples initially had a "partly cloudy" understanding of who He was and what He came to do. Yet, as they continued to follow, Jesus promised they would "see greater things." This ongoing revelation deepens our understanding and aligns our hearts more fully with His. It's an invitation to trust that as we walk with Him, He will continually clarify His identity and purpose in our lives, exceeding our wildest hopes. [03:00]

John 1:50-51
Jesus responded to Nathanael, "Do you believe simply because I said I saw you under the fig tree? You will witness far greater things than this." Then He added, "Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and God's angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Reflection: As you continue your journey of following Jesus, what "greater things" do you hope to see Him reveal about Himself or His work in your life and the world around you?

Sermon Summary

I held up a simple challenge: follow Jesus and let him show you who he truly is. I began with John 1, watching how John the Baptist refused titles and instead pointed people to Jesus—“Behold, the Lamb of God.” I used the botched fresco restoration in Borja as a picture of how our view of Jesus can become distorted by expectation, culture, or hurt; attempts to “fix” that picture without humility often make the distortion worse. John’s clarity came not from spectacle but from a Spirit-witness and from placing attention on Christ, and his witness led others to leave familiar ground and “come and see.”

Following Jesus, I argued, is not merely a one-time decision but an apprenticeship. It means taking on his message, his methods, and his heart, even when that process unsettles our plans or upends what seems to be working. The early followers didn’t instantly understand the full shape of his messiahship—Nazareth looked unimpressive, the Lamb was a surprising image—but they stayed with him and their understanding deepened. I urged us to ask honest questions: Where is our vision blurred? What expectations are we imposing on Jesus because we know he can do certain things?

I shared a student’s story of coming to know Jesus after discarding a tainted image formed by religious harm; she found that the core of knowing Jesus was love of God and love of neighbor. That points back to the practical test of clarity: does what we see of Jesus draw us toward mercy, wisdom, and life? I closed by inviting responsive prayer—asking God to reveal what obscures our sight and to open our eyes to Jesus more clearly—so that our following becomes less about holding a picture and more about being transformed by the living Christ who calls, reveals, and reshapes us as we walk with him.

Key Takeaways

1. Clear your view of Jesus Our pictures warp from culture, disappointment, and unmet expectations. Purposeful reflection and honest prayer strip away the smudges so we can attend to who Jesus actually is, not who we need him to be. When sight clears, devotion follows nuanced truth rather than comforting myth.
2. Follow before full comprehension Faithful following often precedes full theological clarity; the first step is proximity—walking with him. As the disciples learned, encounter refines understanding; seeing comes from staying. Obedience opens interpretive eyes more than endless debate does.
3. Let Jesus reshape your expectations Expectations act like filters that bend the contours of Christ into manageable shapes. Allowing Jesus to recalibrate what you expect—about power, success, and grace—forces you into spiritual humility and maturity. This re-ordering can feel like losing ground, but it aligns desire with God’s deeper work.
4. Discipleship is apprenticeship of heart Following Jesus trains affections as much as actions: the goal is not only correct belief but a formed character. Apprentices watch, imitate, and accept corrections, learning methods and motives together. Over time, that shaping produces credibility: people see Jesus in what we do and how we love.

Bible Study Guide

Hello everyone! So glad we can gather together this week to dig deeper into Sunday's message. Pastor reminded us that following Jesus is more than just a decision; it's an apprenticeship where we learn to see Him clearly and let Him reshape us. Let's open our Bibles and hearts as we discuss this vital journey.

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### Bible Reading

**John 1:19-51**

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 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.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 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?” 39 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. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 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).

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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### Observation Questions

When asked "Who are you?" in John 1:19-23, how did John the Baptist respond, and what was his primary focus in his answers?
What specific titles or descriptions did John the Baptist use to identify Jesus to others in John 1:29 and 36?
When Jesus invited the first disciples, what was his simple invitation, and what was their immediate response in John 1:39-42?
What initial skepticism did Nathanael express about Jesus, and how did Philip respond to him in John 1:45-46?

### Interpretation Questions

The sermon mentioned the botched fresco restoration in Borja as an example of how our view of Jesus can become distorted. What are some common "smudges" (like culture, disappointment, or unmet expectations) that might distort a person's view of Jesus today?
John the Baptist consistently pointed away from himself and towards Jesus. What does John's humility and clarity teach us about how we should present Jesus to others, especially when people might be looking to us for answers or leadership?
The early disciples, like Nathanael, didn't have a full understanding of Jesus from the start, yet they followed. What does this suggest about the role of "full comprehension" versus "proximity and obedience" in the journey of discipleship?
The student Kyia found that the core of knowing Jesus was "love of God and love of neighbor." How does this understanding challenge or confirm common perceptions of what it means to "know Jesus" or be a Christian?

### Application Questions

The sermon encouraged us to ask, "Where is our vision blurred?" and "What expectations are we imposing on Jesus?" Take a moment to honestly reflect: What specific expectation or desire might you be imposing on Jesus right now that could be blurring your view of who He truly is?
The sermon emphasized that "faithful following often precedes full theological clarity." Can you recall a time in your life when you took a step of obedience or faith even when you didn't fully understand the outcome or God's plan? What did you learn about Jesus in that process?
The pastor shared that "discipleship is an apprenticeship where you take on the message, the methods, and the heart of the master." What is one specific "method" or "heart attitude" of Jesus that you feel God is calling you to intentionally practice or adopt this week?
The sermon mentioned that allowing Jesus to "recalibrate what you expect—about power, success, and grace—forces you into spiritual humility and maturity." In what area of your life (e.g., career, relationships, personal goals) do you sense Jesus might be inviting you to recalibrate your expectations? What might that recalibration look like?
The practical test of clarity is: "does what we see of Jesus draw us toward mercy, wisdom, and life?" Thinking about your daily interactions, how might a clearer vision of Jesus lead you to show more mercy or wisdom in a specific situation this week?
The sermon closed with an invitation to prayer: "asking God to reveal what obscures our sight and to open our eyes to Jesus more clearly." What is one specific prayer you can offer this week, asking God to help you see Jesus more clearly in a particular area of your life?

Sermon Quotes

Following Jesus is more than a decision to believe in him, but also the decision to become like him as we learn from him.

Discipleship is an apprenticeship where you take on the message, the methods, and the heart of the master. As his followers, we have a message to know and a heart to adopt.

Maybe we need to let Jesus mess with what is working so we can see what we are missing more clearly.

Where does my thinking, my expectations, or my desires create a fog that limits my ability to see Jesus clearly?

Do we expect that, because Jesus CAN do something, he SHOULD do it? Rather than clearing up, our view of Jesus distorts more.

John was clear that Jesus was the one everyone should be looking at. He was the one everyone anticipated, even if he looked like an ordinary person.

It’s not that Jesus looked like anyone special; his clothes were the same as those of a typical villager, yet there was something in his words and manner that made his identity clear.

The gospels tell us their picture was not fully formed or fully focused: even after three years with him, there were things they did not grasp about a dying Messiah and humble servanthood.

Follow Jesus and allow him to clearly show you who he is, even if his identity unfolds in ways you did not expect and requires you to adjust your expectations.

But if we are willing to let him adjust our vision of who he is, we will find he is more than we ever hoped or imagined, the true Word and Wisdom of God that gives us true life, light, and hope.

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