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But Jesus didn't look Messiah material. Majority of folks in Israel then believed the Christ or Messiah was going to be a big shot, perhaps in the category of Herod or Pilate---or at least Nicodemus. Even to this day, most Jews reject him as the Messiah. And some mindless "Christians" are joining them in this quest for some other Christ other than Jesus. So, how did Andrew and company ascertain that Jesus was the Christ?
Your Private Life
Andrew and company followed him around. They were Jesus stalkers, as it were, as I am. Then, Jesus turned around and confronted them: "What do you want?" he asked. It was obvious they wanted something from him, and it wasn't his money. Jesus looked poor. You saw that at a glance. So what did they want from him?
Andrew and company followed him around. They were Jesus stalkers, as it were, as I am. Then, Jesus turned around and confronted them: "What do you want?" he asked. It was obvious they wanted something from him, and it wasn't his money. Jesus looked poor. You saw that at a glance. So what did they want from him?
"Teacher, where are you staying?" they asked.
It struck me that they didn't ask, "Prove from Scripture that you are the Christ." We'd ask for bible references to prove or establish that what we're doing is correct, sound doctrine. We're particular about that,a nd rightly so. But Andrew and company wanted to know where Jesus lived.
The experts in the law---Pharisees and law teachers---would've also demanded him to prove from Scriptures his claim to Messiahship--or at least John's claim that Jesus was the Lamb of God. That was important then, it's important today, too. Everything should be bible-based. I would have asked for Scriptural backup if I were there. But I'm just a spiritual Jesus stalker moving in the realms of the spirit, not history. But it seemed that Andrew and company thought otherwise. They believed seeing where Jesus stayed mattered more than Scripture references.
I repeat, don't get me wrong. Scripture backing is important to establish anything on faith. But I'm curious why Andrew and company wanted something else. They wanted to see where he lived---not just his address but where he lived---and perhaps how he lived. I don't blame them. I can understand why. Sound doctrines are good, but life, character and supernatural power are most important in the Kingdom. Andrew and company seemed to understand that. So they had to see where (and how) Jesus lived. What was his lifestyle?
The experts in the law---Pharisees and law teachers---would've also demanded him to prove from Scriptures his claim to Messiahship--or at least John's claim that Jesus was the Lamb of God. That was important then, it's important today, too. Everything should be bible-based. I would have asked for Scriptural backup if I were there. But I'm just a spiritual Jesus stalker moving in the realms of the spirit, not history. But it seemed that Andrew and company thought otherwise. They believed seeing where Jesus stayed mattered more than Scripture references.
I repeat, don't get me wrong. Scripture backing is important to establish anything on faith. But I'm curious why Andrew and company wanted something else. They wanted to see where he lived---not just his address but where he lived---and perhaps how he lived. I don't blame them. I can understand why. Sound doctrines are good, but life, character and supernatural power are most important in the Kingdom. Andrew and company seemed to understand that. So they had to see where (and how) Jesus lived. What was his lifestyle?
It's not how you are in church but how you are at home.The Pharisees and law teachers could backup their faith with tons of Scripture references and they looked good in the synagogue and the temple grounds (especially with their priestly attires and robes) but their lives and characters were often rotten. As Jesus later would comment, they were nothing but whitewashed tombs. Hypocrites. They could engage anyone in debates on Scriptures and prove or disprove anything accordingly. But Andrew and company were tired of all of them. Andrew was tired of religious titles, degrees, schooling, masters, doctorates, etc. because they really amounted to nothing. Zero. Nada. Pfft.
In HIM was Life
So he and his friends started looking for LIFE. They wanted to see where he was staying and how he lived there. Jesus was game. "Come and see," he readily replied. In effect, he said come and see LIFE, and this life is the light of men. The light of men is not Scripture per se or expertise on it, but how Scripture is lived out in daily life. How the Word became flesh and dwelt among men.
So they went. They saw with their own eyes where Jesus lived. They probably saw the radical simplicity of his home, a few furnishing and stuffs around there, nothing special, everything just within basic needs. I remember what was provided for Elisha by a wealthy couple---just a bed, a table and a lamp. That's all true prophets need. That's what genuine men of God need. Nothing more, nothing less.
Others need mansions, big church structures, posh vehicles, trophies on shelves and diplomas and certificates on the wall. Everything to prove their worth.
A bed for sleeping and a table and lamp for meditating God's Word. I believe these were all that they also found in Jesus' bachelor's flat. Plus, they spent the day with him, noting his lifestyle and the things he said naturally when in the comforts of his home. You usually act naturally at home, even with guests, compared to how you act when in public---more so when in front a camera. Cameras can change rotten characters into good ones.
They noted especially how he talked. They must have heard a lot of rumors about Jesus, but finally hearing him in person eliminated false appraisals. Andrew and co. didn't measure Jesus by his material possessions or societal or religious positions or his titles or degrees. They measured him by his life. They finally decided, yup, he was the Messiah.
They spread the word around: "We have found the Messiah." It was something that wasn't revealed or taught to them by men, but by God himself.
So he and his friends started looking for LIFE. They wanted to see where he was staying and how he lived there. Jesus was game. "Come and see," he readily replied. In effect, he said come and see LIFE, and this life is the light of men. The light of men is not Scripture per se or expertise on it, but how Scripture is lived out in daily life. How the Word became flesh and dwelt among men.
So they went. They saw with their own eyes where Jesus lived. They probably saw the radical simplicity of his home, a few furnishing and stuffs around there, nothing special, everything just within basic needs. I remember what was provided for Elisha by a wealthy couple---just a bed, a table and a lamp. That's all true prophets need. That's what genuine men of God need. Nothing more, nothing less.
Others need mansions, big church structures, posh vehicles, trophies on shelves and diplomas and certificates on the wall. Everything to prove their worth.
A bed for sleeping and a table and lamp for meditating God's Word. I believe these were all that they also found in Jesus' bachelor's flat. Plus, they spent the day with him, noting his lifestyle and the things he said naturally when in the comforts of his home. You usually act naturally at home, even with guests, compared to how you act when in public---more so when in front a camera. Cameras can change rotten characters into good ones.
They noted especially how he talked. They must have heard a lot of rumors about Jesus, but finally hearing him in person eliminated false appraisals. Andrew and co. didn't measure Jesus by his material possessions or societal or religious positions or his titles or degrees. They measured him by his life. They finally decided, yup, he was the Messiah.
They spread the word around: "We have found the Messiah." It was something that wasn't revealed or taught to them by men, but by God himself.
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