Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-9 (CEB) – Listen to me, coastlands; pay attention, peoples far away. The Lord called me before my birth, called my name when I was in my mother's womb. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of God's own hand. He made me a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in God's quiver, saying to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I show my glory." But I said, "I have wearied myself in vain. I have used up my strength for nothing." Nevertheless, the Lord will grant me justice; my reward is with God. And now the Lord has decided - the one who formed me from the womb as his servant - has to restore Jacob to God, so that Israel might return to him. Moreover, I'm honored in the Lord's eyes; my God has become my strength. He said: It is not enough, since you are my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the survivors of Israel. Hence, I will also appoint you as light to the nations so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
The Lord, redeemer of Israel and its holy one, says to one despised, rejected by nations, to the slave of rulers: Kings will see and stand up; commanders will bow down on account of the Lord, who is faithful, the holy one of Israel, who has chosen you.
The Lord said:
At the right time, I answered you; on a day of salvation, I helped you. I have guarded you, and given you as a covenant to the people, to restore the land, and to reassign deserted properties, saying to the prisoners, "Come out," and to those in darkness, "Show yourselves." Along the roads animals will graze; their pasture will be on every treeless hilltop.
Scripture: John 1:29-42 (CEB) – The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about whom I said, 'He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.' Even I didn't recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he might be made known to Israel." John testified, "I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him. Even I didn't recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and testified that this one is God's Son."
The next day John was standing again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus walking along he said, " Look! The Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard what he said, and they followed him. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he asked, "What are you looking for?" They said, "Rabbi (which is translated Teacher), where are you staying?"
He replied, "Come and see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.
One of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Christ). He led him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
