February 20, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“ 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.”

(John 1.35-37)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

For me, it is not about which of the gospel writers was correct about the order in which “the Twelve” were called into ministry. The real truth of the story is that Jesus called twelve men into His service for the sake of God’s people. It would be their duty, service, obligation, opportunity, act of worship [call it what you will] to not only follow Jesus but to prepare God’s people to become people of God. It is not a privilege to be a follower of Christ but a test of faith. In this world there is little advantage to being a disciple of Jesus. Jesus told His disciples, “In this world you will find trouble [perhaps it might be better said “trouble will find you”]. You will be hated, reviled, hunted down, persecuted and lose your life all because of My Name is has become your own. But do not be afraid, I AM [is] with you.” (John 16.33f) We know of the history of those thirteen who became disciples and the thirteen who became apostles. They were sorely tested for preaching the gospel and believing that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Christ of God. That is the real story of discipleship and the foundation of being called into service to Jesus the Christ. We do hear in John’s gospel, Jesus giving thanks to God for “giving them to Me.” (John 18.9) It is also in John that the “call of the disciples” is presented with an evangelistic thrust. It set for the Church of the next century (John wrote at the close of the first century) the course for its mission into the world. John’s gospel was for the Church what John the Baptizer was for the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptizer was “preparing the way of the Lord and making a straight path for Him to enter into the presence of God’s people.” It would be two of his own disciples that would enter into the service to Jesus of Nazareth, the Lamb of God.

Why is this important? It is not about challenging an order of importance for leadership. It is, for John, and for the Church, a matter of importance for purpose. In one way or another, we all are leaders. We set the pace by example for “a way” of living life. Aggressive or passive; extroverted or introverted; artistic or mechanical; liberal or conservative; male or female; slave or free; Jew or Gentile- it doesn’t matter within the body of Christ as what is defining your position of leadership. What is defined by Christ is our purpose. Andrew witnessed about Jesus to his brother, Simon. Philip witnessed the same to his friend, Nathanael. It could be that the two disciples of John to whom he said “Behold, the Lamb of God,” were Andrew (which is acknowledged by John the Apostle) and Philip. What is important is the “witness of two” which validates the testimony. Suddenly, two become four. That “four” we hear in the Synoptic Gospels is Peter and Andrew, James and John. We hear the stories of how other men were called, chosen or (as we may assume from the Gospel of John) accepted as gifts from God so that the number becomes twelve. The symbolism of “the twelve” reflects upon the twelve tribes of Israel. The testimony of “seeking those who are lost” may provide an insight to “the lost tribes of Israel” of which there were ten. Interestingly enough, we do know that one of the twelve, Judas of Kerioth, was from the “southern Kingdom.” Traditionally, the southern Kingdom comprised of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. There is no conspiracy theory here, only an observation. At least ten of the twelve disciples were from Galilee. Essentially, Galilee would represent the Northern Kingdom, the lost tribes. The hope of David and Solomon was to restore and consolidate the two kingdoms/twelve tribes into one confederation. They desired that sense of completeness and wholeness. To be “one” people, the people of God. It is the purpose of Jesus and His followers to seek the lost and restore them into one confederation, the Church, as be “the people of God.”

How was this to happen? How is it to happen today? It is by preparing others to receive the word of recognition: Behold, the Lamb of God [who comes to take away the sins of the world.] It was not about purging the earth (though we should be good stewards of all creation) and restoring creation to its pristine state as one that “first week.” No, such stewardship could not happen unless the people themselves were renewed, restored and reconciled to one another and to God. This was the purpose, mission and ministry of Jesus. It is intended to be ours as well as mighty ones of God, the people of God. We are called to prepare others to recognize Jesus when He comes. What are we doing today as a people and as the Church? Are we getting ourselves ready for “the day of the Lord”? Or are we preparing others so that they will be ready when “the day of the Lord” comes? Consider the Church of the first century. As time progressed and the number of original disciples lessened, the outlook on when Jesus was going to return changed. The message of the Church transformed from “Jesus is coming soon” to “When Jesus comes be ready.” Those of Israel were looking for a sign because of a similar point of view. They longed for the Messiah since the Age of the Prophets. Yet they were not prepared to recognize Him when He came. Now the Age of the Church was commissioned to do what the Temple did not. They asked for signs and wonders instead of performing demonstrations of faith and trust. Now we are in a season where signs are still being sought after instead of being ready at all times. Will we get ready only when we think it is time? The witness of John says “Come and see.” It does not say “Wait and see.” Do we?

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.