3.31.2026 - Scott Elgersma

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

John 1:35-42

We read today from John 1:35-42. Read the passage now or at the end of this devotion. What can we learn today from the light of God’s word to us?

Happy Easter Week! May the Spirit bless you as you anticipate the celebration, the remembrances and the reflections ahead. In these devotions, we are focusing on Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

To do that, I’d like to join in some simple word associations throughout the week. My hope is to bring us into some places of gratitude and reflection by using some common objects that we run into every day.

Today’s word association is two people standing together.

I expect that most of us do not notice just how many times a day we see two people standing together. They can be talking. They can be walking together. It can even be a couple holding hands as they move down the street. We probably see this grouping 40 or 50 times a day and don’t even think about it.

But in our text today from John 1, Jesus saw two people standing together and he did notice. We know that one of the men was Andrew, the brother of Peter. The other man is unknown. Jesus engages with the two men and asks them a simple question, “What do you want?” Their answer opens the door to something big. “Rabbi, where are you staying?”

Two important things are shown in their response. 

First, they call him “Rabbi”. This can be seen as both a statement and a request. They acknowledge him as teacher, but in their using the address, they are making themselves available to him. A rabbi always choses their own students and Andrew and his friends make it clear they are open to the invitation.

Second, their response shows the curiosity of the two men. In asking Jesus, “where are you staying?” they are reflecting their inner hunger. If they are to believe the words of John the Baptist, that this man is indeed, “the Lamb of God”, then they want to know more. They want to see more. They want to be close so they may learn for themselves who Jesus really is. This passage comes at the beginning of John’s gospel. By the end of the book, Christ will show these two exactly who he is.

That’s what Christ is doing for us in this week. He is showing us who he really is. He is meeting the longing in each of us that is looking for purpose, looking for hope, looking for love, and in himself he offers all that and more to those who would believe. He says to each person, “Come, (follow me) and you will see.” 

In the week ahead, when you see two people standing together, be reminded of the offer of Christ. Be reminded that his offer is personal to them as it is personal to each of us. He asks that duo on the corner what he asks each of us each day.

“Come, follow me. Come see what I offer to you. Come. Stay with me, and I will give to you the life you have always wanted.”

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his smile towards you and give you his peace.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

I love you all. Blessings.

Feel free to share this devotion with others.

To contact the author, please email: elgersma@therivercrc.com