Monday, September 1, 2025
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and told him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered. Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered. “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!” Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “Truly I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:43-51 CSB
Spiritual Influencer
How do we multiply disciples by leading them to trust, follow, and be transformed by Jesus?
We have all been shaped by the influence of others. There have been special people in our lives who have influenced us spiritually, maybe a Sunday School teacher or a youth minister. Those in leadership roles in church are committed to spiritually influencing those under their leadership. But as followers of Jesus, we are all called to be spiritual influencers to the world – even to the ends of the earth. As others influence us, we pass it on, and on, and on, and on. Disciples make disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples… and it never ends.
Jesus wants to transform us to look more like him. As we are transformed to look more like him, we will lead others to him. Sometimes this will happen as others witness our transformation. Sometimes this will happen when others experience the kindness and love of Jesus through us. Sometimes this will happen when we tell others about Jesus and how he has changed us, and how he can change their lives as well. All these ways equal spiritual influence. As we live out our transformation we lead others to him.
We have been learning about what it means to be a follower of Jesus and how our lives as his followers should look. When we become a follower of Jesus, our life is changed from the inside out. We trust him when we realize what he has done for us in the gift of salvation and eternal life. We begin to live a different way – the Jesus Way – as we follow him. On this path of following him we become transformed with each and every step – stepping where the Spirit steps and learning to live and love like him. This is where others will begin to see a change in our lives. This is where we start living out our testimony with our lives – how we live day to day, the choices we make, the things we do and say, and the way we treat others. This is also where we begin to influence people as we point others to Jesus with our whole lives.
Yesterday we heard the story of Philip and Nathanael. Jesus invited Philip and Philip invited Nathanael. Nathanael was skeptical at first, but Philip used three simple words – “Come and see…” Nathanael accepted Philip’s invitation and saw what had changed Philip. He believed Jesus was the Son of God and began his path of transformation.
Jesus does not save us to sit in the pew week after week. We are saved to take the message to the next person, and to the nations. He invites us into a transformed life with him so that we can invite others, sharing the Good News with them.
How has Jesus changed your life?
Who have you told about it?
How are you helping them to trust, follow, and be transformed by Jesus?
Where do you need to start?
