The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus
John 1:37
Vewing the Valley (© John Gresham)
Two of John’s disciples heard their teacher proclaim the presence of the Greater One. Rather than stay with the one who had led them, they sought the One he constantly refered to. Following Jesus, they went to the place where he stayed. No crowds were present, just the two men spending time with the Lord.
What good is it for the roots to simply rely on moisture from the drops of rain and dew dripping from the leaves when there is a greater source of water? Do roots do any good staying in a ball when there is fertile ground to find firm establishment? Such roots do nothing productive for the tree and are only fit to rot so that new roots can find the nourishment to go forward as the predecessors should have.
Too often the faithful put their faith in the preacher and not the One that is (and MUST BE) proclaimed. Even when the preacher speaks truth, there is a tendency to uplift the human rather than seek out the greater truth of the divine. This is the realm of “Sunday Christians.” They stay in the root ball of the weekly worship without penetrating the rich soil of the Divine Savior nor drinking from the ever flowing fountain of His Spirit. Perhaps others will learn from their erroneous existence and seek something better.
Let us not make such an error. Sermons from even the best pastors are mere drops of water from leaves. Take the drops, but search out the Spirit of Truth that cleanses and restores us. Grow deeper in solitude and only another or two spending time in God’s presence. When discipleship takes the path of such a root, it attracts others to come and grow.
