The way a person becomes a Christian is the same for everyone: “you must be born again.” We are born again by believing and personally receiving Jesus as our savior and Lord. The path people follow getting to that starting point can be quite different.

In the remainder of John 1, the author is careful to emphasize John the Baptist as the one who gives testimony and is a witness to the fact that Jesus is the promised messiah. John the Baptist testifies regarding things that were public for all people to see as well as one thing that was a direct revelation from God to him regarding who Jesus really is. We all know a claim is only credible if it can be supported and proven to be true. What does a savior need to do to prove they are indeed a savior? They need to save people. What does a Lord need to prove they are indeed the Lord? They need followers that surrender to His Lordship. In the remainder of chapter one that is exactly what the author does; he introduces people who are saved and surrender to Jesus as Lord, proving Jesus as savior and Lord.  

What is interesting is that of the four times people begin to follow Jesus they all come to that place through very different paths. The same is true today! I would love to hear the personal testimony of each person in our church. I know they would all be different and would reveal the creativity of God as he draws people to Himself. As we look to our local mission field, we need to remember that God will use a variety of ways to draw people to himself and not get stuck on just one method to witness to the world around us. Join us this Sunday as we consider how a person can “Follow Jesus.”