Faith Daily | 4 January 2023

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p479

O God,

by the leading of a star

you manifested your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles:

mercifully grant, that we, who know you now by faith,

may after this life be led to the vision

of your glorious Godhead;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: John 1: 35-42

35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ 39He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Michelle Chapman

For the Disciples who followed Jesus, they actually saw Jesus in person. They spent time with Jesus and brought others to follow Jesus. The Disciples believed they had found ‘the Messiah”. Simon came after his brother Andrew told him about Jesus.

Jesus renamed Simon “Cephas” that is Peter in Greek and “a rock” in Aramaic language that Jesus spoke.

The Disciples actually lived with Jesus, they believed Jesus as they actually heard his words, witnessed his heartfelt concerns about unbelievers and later on God’s future plan for Jesus. So for the Disciples and the many people who followed, listened and believed Jesus - Seeing was Believing! All those persons experienced their faith firstly during Jesus lifetime and afterwards as they encouraged each other to continue.

After Jesus’ lifetime on this earth, people need to Believe and See! Jesus had to explain to his followers that He had to suffer and be crucified as was frequently known in that Roman part of the world. The Holy Spirit calls us all to believe and live as Jesus.

John 1: 12 says - Jesus would give all who “did receive him, to who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”. To all reading this in 2023 Jesus calls us to Believe in Him and See Jesus as who He is, the Son of God. This is great encouragement to all who trust in Jesus who wants us to believe and follow Him.

FINAL PRAYER Psalm 13: 5-6

Yet I put my trust in your unfailing love:

O let my heart rejoice in your salvation.

And I will make my song to the Lord:

because he deals so bountifully with me.

Amen.