Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
WEEK 3 | ANDREW
Leadership transitions are hard on disciples. In John 1 we see the
beginning of such a change. Andrew and his brother, Peter, are
connected to the ministry of John the Baptist. John identifies
Jesus as the Messiah and begins to point his crew toward his
cousin. "There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world." John was a forerunner and understood his role as one of
preparation for God's anointed. "He must increase and I must
decrease." This meant his disciples needed to embrace Jesus as
their new leader and teacher.
This was hard for Andrew and Peter. John was dramatic and
confrontational, preaching repentance and judgment, a fire-
breathing prophet with a simple message. Jesus was humble and
unassuming, teaching new truths about God and life, welcoming
the poor and sinners, healing and helping the sick and struggling,
and living a life of sacrifice and service. Leadership changes test
our ultimate loyalty. Are we loyal to a leader or to God? Are we
open to the new gift God wants to give us, or are we easily
alienated when change comes?
Have you ever gotten lost during a leadership change?
One mark of a good Christian is to be like John and point people to Jesus. Do you agree?
