New commitments

NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA Helen and Kevin Partland were welcomed as adherents by Majors Frances and Stephen Slade after attending Sunday meetings and being actively involved with the fellowship for several years. They both testified to how the Lord was working in their lives and thanked everyone for the welcome that they had received. – JS

LEIGH-ON-SEA Corps officer Lieut-Colonel George Pilkington welcomed Shelley Nelmes as an adherent. Shelley joined the fellowship after moving to the area last year. Following her desire to get involved with corps activities, Shelley is using her artistic flair to prepare pictures to support the children’s work. She is pictured with Adherents Secretary Thelma Beacham and Lieut-Colonel George. – PJ

GAINSBOROUGH James Plastow and two of his children, Bethany and Shayne, were welcomed as adherents by corps officer Captain Wendy Brown. They testified through their choice of songs and Scripture that, despite the struggles they had experienced, they had always been reassured that God is constantly with them. Bethany and Shayne have attended the corps since their parents brought them as babies. They have all become integral members of the fellowship and have helped with projects including the annual Christmas Toy Appeal. Pictured with the family are Captains Kevin and Wendy Brown. – WB BLACKPOOL CITADEL Miriam was enrolled as a junior soldier by her grandfather, Lieut-Colonel David Shakespeare (North London DHQ), as part of the YP prizegiving celebrations. In her testimony she shared that she was becoming a junior soldier ‘because I want to give my whole heart to God and want everybody to know it’. Miriam is pictured with Lieut-Colonel David and YP worker Ann Pressley, who conducted Miriam’s junior soldier classes. – TM

SHIREBROOK Albert and Helena Burton began attending in July, just as the corps started to reopen after the Covid-19 lockdowns. Already committed Christians, they felt they had found their spiritual home. They were welcomed as adherents by corps officer Captain David White. – LW

Come and see!

Major Steven Turner considers how a personal invitation can lead to a life-changing discovery

JOHN 1:35–51

CHILDREN are naturally inquisitive, always exploring and wanting to learn. Often, they try to share their discoveries with the command: ‘Come and see!’ It might be a tiny crab in a rock pool, the first spring flower or something they have made at school. The responses of peers and significant adults can be quite varied.

QUESTIONS

What exciting discoveries did you make as a child? How do you react when someone invites you to come and see something?

After 400 years of silence, John the Baptist appears on the scene to announce the imminent arrival of the Messiah – God’s anointed one – who will rescue his people, Israel. This exciting news sees crowds flocking to John to be baptised. But what will happen when the Messiah himself arrives? Our study passage describes three announcements of the Messiah, three invitations to ‘come and see’, and three responses by Jesus.

‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ says John for the second time (John 1:36). Two of Jesus’ disciples – Andrew and possibly John – immediately follow him. Scholars tell us that their question in verse 38 – ‘Where are you staying?’ – was a request for permission to follow the rabbi. Like eager boys saying ‘What are you doing, Mister?’ to a workman, Andrew and John are keen to learn all they can about this mysterious new rabbi.

Similarly, Jesus’ response – ‘Come and you will see’ (v39) – is more an invitation to discipleship than to tea. It is already late afternoon, so they probably stay overnight, which was normal in Jewish hospitality. Jesus takes time to answer all the questions of these eager enquirers.

QUESTION

How ready are you to respond to questions, no matter how trivial?

Andrew’s excitement at meeting Jesus is such that he seeks his brother Simon and claims: ‘We have found the Messiah’ (v41). He brings him to Jesus.

Jesus gives Simon a new name: ‘Cephas (which, when translated, is Peter)’ (v42). Simon Peter becomes a disciple of Jesus. Sometime later, in answer to Jesus questioning who Simon Peter says he is, the disciple makes his personal declaration of faith in Jesus as Messiah (see Matthew 16:16–18).

QUESTIONS

How have you responded to people who are indifferent to the gospel?

Through the week with Salvationist

– a devotional thought for each day

by Major Sheila Smith

SUNDAY

All I once held dear, built my life upon,/ All this world reveres, and wars to own,/ All I once thought gain I have counted loss;/ Spent and worthless now, compared to this:/ Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you,/ There is no greater thing./ You’re my all, you’re the best,/ You’re my joy, my righteousness,/ And I love you, Lord.

(SASB 565)

MONDAY

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ (John 1:35 and 36)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, as we look into your face and see the light of the Father’s love shining there, may the Holy Spirit fill us with that light and love. Shine your light through us to others and transform their darkness. TUESDAY

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart!/ Be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;/ Be thou my best thought in the day and the night,/ Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light. (SASB 573)