The Ministry of Jesus Christ: First Disciples

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). - John 1:35-42

Saint Andrew and another of Saint John's disciples, hearing their master's words respecting Jesus, follow Him. Andrew afterwards brings his brother Simon to Him, saying: "We have found the Messias."

Saint John, the first preacher of the Gospel, is a model to all preachers,

a) He preaches Jesus. Jesus is the centre of his doctrine. His one object is to turn the hearts of his hearers to Jesus.

b) He preaches Jesus under the sweetest and most attractive aspect of "the Lamb of God." He sought to make Jesus the object of their love by dwelling on His gentleness and kindness,

c) He does not think of himself. He is only too glad that all his disciples should leave him to follow Jesus. So Saint Paul: "We preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus our Lord." Do I in my words and actions forget self and think of Jesus?

This kind of teaching soon bears fruit. First one, then another, of his disciples follows the Lamb of God. Our words are sure to bear fruit if they are filled with the love of Jesus. Saint John had the happiness of seeing the fruit of his labors; and so in this world or in the world to come will all who point to Jesus, preach Jesus, make Jesus lovable in the eyes of men.

One conversion brings another. Saint Andrew brings to the fold of Christ his brother Simon, the future Pope, tho Rock on which the Church of Christ was to be built. Thus it is with all who obey the voice of their conscience. They are sure to convert others, and insensibly to influence them for good. What happiness for us if we bring only one soul to Jesus!

- taken from The Ministry of Jesus Christ: Short Meditations on the Public Life of Our Lord, by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ