Listen

The next day John was standing again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus walking along he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed Jesus.

When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, “What are you looking for?”

They said, “Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?”

He replied, “Come and see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.

One of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Christ ). He led him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

John 1:35-42

Think

Jesus is given many names for his divine and human roles. Just in this scripture passage, Jesus is called Rabbi, meaning teacher, and Messiah, meaning Christ. Using titles and metaphor gives us new and exciting ways to praise God and start to define God’s attributes. They help us remember the great acts Jesus did in being Emmanuel – God with us.

We can praise Jesus for the ways he guides us as a teacher to live a better life. We can praise God for sending a Messiah, the one who liberates us and sets us free from sin.

It helps to keep the many essential roles of Jesus closer to our hearts as we go about our lives. What are the most critical names we give Christ? What are the most important roles Christ has played for you?

Sarah Karber

Pray

Magnificent God, you cannot be contained by words or single descriptors. Please help me to use my imagination to discover the depth of the possibilities for describing you to experience a new way to praise you. Amen.

Go

Speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts.

Ephesians 5:19