November 30, 2025

Today's Reading: John 1:35-42a

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 6:1-7:9; 1 Peter 2:13-25

“One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ)” (John 1:40-41)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Andrew told his brother that they had found Jesus, the Messiah. It seemed that way. They believed the Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would come. Now, they had found Him! Except that Jesus hadn’t been lost. Instead of Andrew and Simon finding Jesus, Jesus came and found them. Jesus, the all-knowing Lord, walked past John the Baptist while he was teaching, and John pointed out Jesus, the Lamb of God. When Andrew followed Him, Jesus invited Andrew to “come and see” where Jesus was staying and what Jesus was doing. In other words, Jesus invited Andrew to follow Him.

Sometimes, it’s easy for people, including you, to think that they’ve “found Jesus” or “got Jesus.” From our perspective, that’s what it seems like. Yet, it’s not that we find Jesus, but that Jesus finds us. In the Small Catechism about the Creed’s Third Article, we confess, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.” We who cannot believe in Jesus as Lord or come to Him don’t find. Instead, Jesus and the Holy Spirit find us!

That’s great news, because it takes the burden off you. It can be tempting to think that you need to find Jesus or that you need to make sure that you are following Jesus the right way. Don’t be confused: you aren’t in charge of God’s grace. Jesus isn’t lost, and Jesus doesn’t need finding. You were lost, but Jesus has found you and called you His own new creation, baptized into His name and an heir of eternal life with Him! Jesus now invites you to “come and see” His gracious work for you because of His great love for you!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, by Your grace, the apostle Andrew obeyed the call of Your Son to be a disciple. Grant us also to follow the same Lord Jesus Christ in heart and life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Author: Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you’ll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.