Lent Day 4: Calling Disciples

Pause

Spend a few moments focusing on God’s character, listing facets of His character in your journal. Praise Him for the ways you have seen Him display those qualities in your own life.

Read & Journal

Read John 1:35-51. Ponder these questions in your journal:

• What does this passage teach you about Jesus’ character? About His purpose or mission?

• Consider Jesus’ interactions with people in this passage, particularly Simon and Nathanael. What do these interactions teach you about Jesus?

• Jesus knew and understood Nathanael. How has Jesus proven to you that He knows and understands you? Be specific.

Ponder

Jesus captured Nathanael’s attention by knowing and understanding Nathanael’s character (John 1:47), then He captured Nathanael’s worship (John 1:48-49).1 Before He called Nathanael to follow Him, Jesus understood Nathanael at the core of who he really was. You can rest in the knowledge that Jesus knows the real you—not the ideal version of yourself you may promote on social media or the worst version of yourself you see in the mirror when the enemy whispers about past sins. He calls the real you—the imperfect you, the sinner in need of a Savior—to follow Him. You don’t have to hide or make yourself presentable; you simply have to choose to follow.

A Note from Mandy

As I read about Jesus calling his disciples here in 2024, I'm in a bit of a different place than when I wrote this reading plan in 2022. The words I wrote back then still ring true, but I'm struck by more than the fact that Jesus truly understood Nathanael. Jesus uncertainly did, but he also took to time to make sure that Nathanael knew he really saw him.

When you know someone really sees you for who you are and still likes you, that's life-changing. When someone takes the time to stop what they're doing, look you in the face and call forth the person God has always intended you to be, it can change your trajectory. Jesus paused twice in today's passage to talk to specific men. Once to look intently at Simon and call him by a new name, Cephas (Peter); and once more to speak with Nathanael. In the midst of all the business, Jesus took the time to really see and truly affirm Peter and Nathanael. Whatever the world saw in these two, Jesus saw who he had made them to be. It's the way he looks at us and calls us on the upward path he's leading us on.

Oh, let us take the time to really see others and affirm the man or woman God is calling them to be!

1. John 1:48-49, New Living Bible Study Notes. Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008