Friday, February 20, 2026

 Opening Scripture

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Philemon 1:6

Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Thank you that the righteousness of Jesus is mine by grace through faith. Thank you for adopting me into your forever family. Through Jesus, you have given us the mission of sharing your love and truth with others. Help me to have awareness, compassion, courage, and concern to tell someone else about your salvation today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 1:35-51

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. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Reflection  

As a faithful forerunner – preparing the way of the Lord – John immediately transferred his focus from his “baptism of repentance” ministry to the ministry of Jesus. Two of John’s disciples heard John’s testimony and began to follow Jesus. Their “following” was both a physical act (walking behind Him) and a spiritual act (shifting allegiance).

Jesus’ question is a powerful one: “What do you want?” That open-ended inquiry can cover the breadth of our existence. What do we want? What are we seeking in life? Jesus is the perfect One to ask!

They answered with a question of their own: “Where are you staying?” And the rest, as they say, is history! These men ended up spending the day with Jesus, and nothing was ever the same again.

The word translated “staying” here is one of John’s favorites. It’s the Greek word meno which means “abide,” and he uses it forty times in this Gospel. As such, their question could have been translated: “Where do you abide?”

Jesus’ response is the embodiment of his incarnation: “Come and see.” He didn’t answer with information. He answered with invitation. Not, “Let me tell you,” but “Let me show you.” That personal time with Jesus changed their lives and the lives of countless others.

Flourishing Habit

Meaning and Purpose

Those first followers were faithful witnesses! After Andrew encountered Jesus, he went and got his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. After Philip encountered Jesus, he went and got his friend Nathanael and brought him to Jesus.

The simple invitation – “Come and see!” – had a profound and powerful result! By accepting the invitation, these men were transformed on The Jesus Way. Without knowing what would happen, they became the first apostles.

Three years later, Jesus promised them: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

On Monday, we considered the fact that God has designed us to flourish together for His purposes. Just like the first disciples, He has called us and equipped us to live on mission for Him. He has invited us to be part of His worldwide redemption plan! We have been redeemed and empowered to serve as His witnesses here, there, and everywhere.

Who do you need to invite to “Come and see”?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!