In the Beginning: The Book of John (John 1:35-42[HCSB])

35 Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God! ”

37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, “What are you looking for? ”

They said to Him, “* Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are You staying? ”

39 “Come and you’ll see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning.2

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah! ”29 (which means “Anointed One”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus.

When Jesus saw him, He said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called * Cephas” (which means “Rock”).

If one should ask, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” wouldn’t it be satisfying to hear, “In his heart, and her heart, but most certainly in your heart.” But, I digress.

If someone pointed out “the Lamb of God” to us today, the only followers would be law enforcement and maybe a handful of the curious. This seems to have been the case early on in the Christian* movement. The curious and the Pharisees were undoubtedly the most abundant group of onlookers.

Jesus asked those following Him, “What are you looking for?” It is probably wise to ask those who are in our churches and missional groups the same question. It seems obvious enough that those with us would be seeking Jesus, but we may surprised. As we discover later in John’s Gospel, the Disciples themselves exclaim, “It is hard to do this …” after listening to Jesus spell out what is actually required of them in literal and spiritual terms.

So, consider Simon Peter, who was not the first follower, and appeared to be one of the least prepared for the journey. He was a successful fisherman, and knew something about the politics of the day. And, he knew enough about his Jewish faith to be a real danger to himself and others.

Yet, this coarse, and marginally faithful individual is called out by Jesus to be Cephas or “the Rock.”

Who are we called to be, and are we willing to give our lives for Jesus? Peter said, “Yes, Lord!, and paid the ultimate price.

* The term “Christian” was not used until about 65 A.D in Antioch, Syria. Where Peter ministered.