“Andrew... first findeth his own brother Simon... and he brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:40-4240One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:40‑42)).
These five scriptures are cited to bring before us the various means which were used in each case to lead souls to believe on the Lord Jesus. And as Sunday School workers I believe it is helpful to look at these records, as they serve as an encouragement to us in the work the Lord has given us to do.
In the first scripture we get John’s rapturous exclamation, “Behold the Lamb of God!” This would appear to have been the spontaneous outflow of his heart as he looked upon the Lord Jesus, who so filled his heart that he thus exclaimed concerning Him, and those five memorable words are used to turn two of his disciples to Christ. May not this have a word for us, directing us to more heart occupation with Christ that our words may come with more telling effect upon our scholars, that they too may follow Jesus?
Then with Andrew we have the character of the true soul-winner who seeks out his brother and brings him to Jesus. Not much are we told about Andrew, but the little we have recorded gives us to see that he went out of his way to find souls. It was he who discovered the little boy in John 6. There are those whom we might be able to seek out and bring personally to Jesus. Many a soul who listens to the weekly message may need a personal word, and may have difficulties which will only be discovered by this individual dealing. May the Lord give us discernment and heart for this work among our scholars.
In the woman of Samaria we get a lovely example of the full overflowing confession of Christ from a soul that is fresh in its love to Him. She goes to those who had known her in sin, and speaks of Him so that many of the Samaritans believed on Him. This surely is a blessed example of the first love of a newborn soul. Ah! how much do we know of this? How soon our love cools down and our ardor too! The Lord had to complain of this in His message to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2. “Thou hast left thy first love.” What a comfort His love has not cooled, but it is only as we abide in the sunshine of His love that our hearts will burn, and we too shall be able to testify in a way which will reach those we long to see saved. The verses in John 10 have been a real cheer to my heart in connection with the work among the children. “Many believed on Him there.” Why was that? O! it is full of encouragement! “John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.” John was but a voice telling of Jesus. He did no miracle, nothing to make people wonder or applaud his work, but what he said was true, and after many days it bore fruit. John may have thought his work was in vain. We know he did get discouraged, and yet the wondrous result— “many believed on Him there” —is attributed to his faithful message. Let us take heart and see to it that all things we speak of this man are true, sowing the good seed of the Word, and it may be we shall find as John did, that our labor was not in vain, and that “many believed on Him there.”
The last scripture shows what a power there is in a miracle. Lazarus had been dead, but the life-giving word of Christ had given him life, and he is a living witness to this fact, and by reason of him many believed on Jesus.
May we never forget that we are miracles of divine grace! Did not the voice of Christ speak to us when we were dead in sins, and give us life? May the children see that this is so, and that our lives as well as our words are a definite witness to Christ! and so by reason of us many may believe on Jesus.