Getting Real with God

Read John 1:29-51

"Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus" 1 John 1:40-42

What’s the one thing that you get excited to talk about to your friends? Grandparents, football fans and Swifties are always happy to share the latest news on their ‘special interest’. If you know me well, show even the slightest interest and I’ll wax on about fly fishing.

John has concluded his introduction to Jesus from a cosmic perspective and now the story gets feet on the ground, on Judean soil. The backdrop is the Jordan River and people from Jerusalem are coming out to be baptised by John in repentance, and to be ready for a great work of God that seems to be on the horizon. Even the Jewish leaders are nervous and come out to interrogate John.

Onto this stage steps Jesus, and amazingly he also asks to be baptised (Jesus is the last person who needs to repenta!). John says, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”. Jesus has come for baptism not because he needs to repent but to identify with humanity and our problem of sin. As he comes up from the water the Holy Spirit identifies with him like a dove—he is the one.

John explains to his disciples how Jesus is the Christ, and some turn from John to follow Jesus. This is where we meet Andrew the first evangelist. He’s so excited about his life-changing discovery that he finds his brother Simon-Peter, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

At All Saints we believe we have such life-changing news that we create spaces and opportunities to invite friends and family to, so they can connect and meet Jesus too. We call these, ‘Connect Events’— not gospel ambushes but rather, warm and friendly events like holiday kids clubs, Meat Nights and Paint n’ Sip. In 2026 we have a range of Connect Events planned to invite your friends to.

Are you excited about Jesus and talk about him to your friends? Is it on your heart for them to meet him? Begin praying today for an opportunity to invite them to a connect event. It’s no accident that so early in John’s gospel we meet Andrew the bringer.

RevGeoff