Lent Day 4 [2.21.2026] Divine Connection

The first thing Andrew did was find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). - John 1:41

Scripture: John 1:35-51

It has always been a point of interest of why the disciples seemingly left everything to follow Jesus. We are familiar with the story of Jesus calling Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John amid the miracle of a full net of fish, but what prompted them to leave behind their livelihood, their families, and homes to follow Jesus? Some may claim it was because Jesus was a well-respected Rabbi during that time and a chance to learn from him would be a once in a lifetime opportunity; however, historically, Jesus worked as a carpenter right up until He began His public ministry. Our scripture today provides the prelude to the formation of Jesus’ inner twelve that explains where the true power of evangelism and conversion comes from.  

After Jesus’ baptism, John the Baptist and two of his disciples encounter Jesus again. When John saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples who were with John followed Jesus and when Jesus saw them, He asked them, “What do you want?” The two disciples inquired Jesus about where He was staying, and Jesus invites them to come and see. They would spend the day with Him after which one of the disciples, Andrew, went to go find His brother Simon to tell him about this man named Jesus. Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, and it was then that Jesus transitions his name from Simon to Cephas or Peter. Andrew and the apostle John followed Jesus based on John the Baptist’s testimony and Peter came to meet Jesus through his brother Andrew. All of them spent time listening and learning from Jesus until a short time later, they would be officially called to be disciples. If we carefully analyze how each of them came to know of Jesus, it was through the testimony of others. Andrew and John through the testimony of John the Baptist, Peter through the testimony of his brother Andrew.

The next day, Jesus decided to leave for Galilee and found a tradesman named Philip to whom He said, “Follow me.” At this, Philip followed Jesus, and the apostle John explains why. In verse 44 it says, “Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.” Bethsaida was strongly influenced by John the Baptist’s movement proven by Andrew and John who were both from that town and served as disciples of John the Baptist. Philip would have already been searching for the one John the Baptist had claimed was the Son of God. Furthermore, when Philip was called, he immediately went to find his brother Nathanael (Bartholomew), who was a devout Jew and a skeptic regarding Jesus’ hometown Nazareth since Nazareth was a small and insignificant town during that time. Philip urges his brother to come and see, and when Jesus sees Nathanael, He shows divine knowledge prompting Nathanael to worship and declare that Jesus is the Son of God.

Our scripture today shows us that the power of evangelism and conversion comes from the word of our testimony. Jesus’ inner twelve was predominantly built around invitation by others who had seen and experienced the identity and power of Jesus Christ. Through this invitation, each one of them were able to experience it for themselves and ultimately answer the call to become His disciples. Therefore, God chooses us to be the messenger that invites others to come and see who Jesus is. This is not because Jesus is introverted, or unconvincing, or ineffective, it is because from the beginning Jesus chose to entrust Himself and His ministry to people. Jesus constructs His inner circle by partnering with people to invite others to experience who He is. Therefore, if there is one constant practice that grows our faith, reaps the reward, and builds the church, it is evangelism. Evangelism is the active sharing of our beliefs and testimonies to invite others to come and see who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Many times, we believe that the goal of evangelism is conversion, but it is not. Evangelism itself is sharing the good news about Jesus Christ and therefore the goal is invitation to experience who Jesus is. We can evangelize in many ways, such as on our social media platforms, in regular everyday encounters, overseas in the mission field, or even striking up a conversation with a stranger. We are called to partner with Christ as messengers and extend the invitation to experience the power and love of Jesus Christ.

Reflection:

1.     What is the purpose of evangelism?

2.     Why is it important to evangelize?

3.     How can I be effective in evangelizing to my family and friends?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for calling me to be your disciples and a messenger of the good news. I pray for those in my life who have not yet come to know or experience you yet. Help me to be a messenger that invites them into an encounter with you so that they would come to belief in you. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 신성한 연결 (Divine Connection)본문: 요한복음 1:35-51

제자들이 어떻게 모든 것을 버리고 예수님을 따를 수 있었는지는 언제나 흥미로운 주제였습니다. 우리는 예수님께서 그물을 가득 채우는 기적 가운데 시몬 베드로, 안드레, 야고보, 요한을 부르신 이야기에 익숙합니다. 그러나 무엇이 그들로 하여금 생업과 가족, 집을 뒤로하고 예수님을 따르게 했을까요? 어떤 사람들은 당시 예수님이 존경받는 라비였기 때문에 그에게 배우는 것이 일생일대의 기회였기 때문이라고 말할지도 모릅니다. 그러나 역사적으로 볼 때, 예수님은 공생애를 시작하시기 전까지 목수로 일하셨습니다. 오늘 본문은 예수님의 열두 제자가 형성되기 전의 서막을 보여주며, 복음 전도와 회심의 참된 능력이 어디에서 오는지를 설명해 줍니다.

예수님께서 세례를 받으신 후, 세례 요한과 그의 두 제자가 다시 예수님을 만납니다. 요한은 예수님이 지나가시는 것을 보고 “보라, 하나님의 어린 양이로다!”라고 말합니다. 요한과 함께 있던 두 제자는 예수님을 따라갔고, 예수님은 그들을 보시며 “무엇을 구하느냐?”라고 물으셨습니다. 두 제자는 예수님께 어디에 머무시는지 묻고, 예수님은 “와서 보라”고 초대하십니다. 그들은 그날 예수님과 함께 시간을 보냈고, 그 후 그 중 한 사람인 안드레는 그의 형제 시몬을 찾아가 예수라는 분에 대해 전했습니다. 안드레는 시몬을 예수님께 데려왔고, 그때 예수님은 시몬의 이름을 게바, 곧 베드로로 바꾸어 주셨습니다.

안드레와 사도 요한은 세례 요한의 증언을 통해 예수님을 따랐고, 베드로는 그의 형제 안드레의 증언을 통해 예수님을 만나게 되었습니다. 그들은 모두 예수님께 부르심을 받기 전까지 그분의 말씀을 듣고 배우는 시간을 가졌습니다. 이들이 예수님을 알게 된 과정을 자세히 살펴보면, 모두 다른 사람의 증언을 통해 시작되었음을 알 수 있습니다. 안드레와 요한은 세례 요한의 증언을 통해, 베드로는 형제 안드레의 증언을 통해 예수님을 알게 되었습니다.

그 다음 날, 예수님은 갈릴리로 가시기로 결심하시고 빌립이라는 사람을 만나 “나를 따르라”고 말씀하셨습니다. 빌립은 즉시 예수님을 따랐습니다. 사도 요한은 그 이유를 설명합니다. 44절에 보면 “빌립은 안드레와 베드로와 한 동네 벳새다 사람이라”고 기록되어 있습니다. 벳새다는 세례 요한의 운동에 큰 영향을 받았던 곳이었습니다. 안드레와 요한이 그 동네 출신으로 세례 요한의 제자였던 사실이 이를 증명합니다. 빌립 역시 세례 요한이 하나님의 아들이라고 선포했던 그분을 이미 찾고 있었을 것입니다.

또한 빌립은 부르심을 받은 즉시 그의 친구 나다나엘(바돌로매)을 찾아갔습니다. 나다나엘은 경건한 유대인이었지만, 당시 작고 보잘것없던 동네였던 나사렛 출신이라는 이유로 예수님에 대해 회의적이었습니다. 빌립은 그에게 “와서 보라”고 권했고, 예수님은 나다나엘을 보시며 신적인 지식을 나타내셨습니다. 그로 인해 나다나엘은 예수님을 경배하며 그분이 하나님의 아들이심을 고백했습니다.

오늘 본문은 복음 전도와 회심의 능력이 우리의 증언에서 나온다는 사실을 보여줍니다. 예수님의 열두 제자는 대부분 예수님의 정체성과 능력을 경험한 사람들이 다른 이들을 초대함으로써 형성되었습니다. 이 초대를 통해 그들 각자는 직접 예수님을 경험하게 되었고, 결국 제자로 부름받게 되었습니다.

하나님께서는 우리가 예수님이 누구신지를 “와서 보라”고 초대하는 메신저가 되기를 원하십니다. 이것은 예수님이 내성적이시거나 설득력이 없거나 능력이 부족해서가 아닙니다. 처음부터 예수님은 자신과 자신의 사역을 사람들에게 맡기기로 선택하셨기 때문입니다. 예수님은 사람들과 동역하여 다른 이들을 초대함으로써 자신의 공동체를 세우십니다.

그러므로 우리의 믿음을 자라게 하고, 열매를 맺게 하며, 교회를 세우는 한 가지 꾸준한 실천이 있다면 그것은 바로 전도입니다. 전도란 우리의 믿음과 간증을 적극적으로 나누어 다른 사람들이 예수님이 누구신지, 그리고 우리를 위해 무엇을 하셨는지를 경험하도록 초대하는 것입니다. 우리는 종종 전도의 목표가 회심이라고 생각하지만, 사실 전도의 목표는 예수 그리스도의 복음을 나누고 사람들을 예수님을 경험하도록 초대하는 데 있습니다.

우리는 소셜 미디어를 통해서, 일상적인 만남 속에서, 해외 선교지에서, 혹은 낯선 사람과의 대화를 통해서도 전도할 수 있습니다. 우리는 그리스도와 동역하는 메신저로 부름받아 예수님의 능력과 사랑을 경험하도록 초대하는 역할을 감당해야 합니다.

묵상 질문:

1. 전도의 목적은 무엇입니까?

2. 왜 전도는 중요합니까?

3. 가족과 친구들에게 효과적으로 전도하려면 어떻게 해야 할까요?

   
   

기도:사랑의 하나님, 저를 제자로 부르시고 복음의 메신저로 세워 주셔서 감사합니다. 아직 주님을 알지 못하거나 경험하지 못한 제 주변 사람들을 위해 기도합니다. 제가 그들을 주님과의 만남으로 초대하는 통로가 되게 하시고, 그들이 주님을 믿게 되도록 인도하여 주옵소서. 예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.