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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
November 14, 1999
The First Disciples
John 1:35-51
How do people respond to Jesus Christ? That will depend in a large part in what the are looking for before the meet Him. Those who are not interested in spiritual things and those who already have their minds made up about will generally ignore Him. Those who are seeking the truth and are willing to investigate will find Him. We will see this principle displayed this morning we are going to look at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in John 1:35-51 and the response of the first disciples.
This is an important principle for all of us to consider as we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those around us. It explains why so many do not respond and keeps us focused correctly. It is not our responsibility to save people, but simply to declare the truth about Jesus. As we go through the book of John we will see how we can challenge both those who have little to no spiritual interest and those who think they already have all the answers with the truth so that they will start thinking deeply about the nature and purpose of life.
This morning we will be looking more at the example of those who were spiritually minded and were seeking answers from God. The apostle John wants us to know that Jesus is the Son of God and that believing we might have eternal life in Him (Jn. 20:31). In the response of the first disciples we will find additional witnesses testifying to the truth about Jesus. Turn to John 1:35.
Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked upon Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"
This passage is set in a seven day period when quite a few significant events occurred. The first day mentioned (vs 19) was when the Priest and Levites came out from Jerusalem to the Jordan River to find out who John was. John made it very clear that he was not the Messiah, or Elijah or the Prophet, but the fulfilment of Isaiah 40:3 of the voice crying in the wilderness to make straight the way of the Lord (vs. 23). John was the forerunner of Messiah calling the people to repent and prepare for the coming of the Son of God who had even then began His ministry. The very next day John saw Jesus and declared to everyone that Jesus was the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the World. He testified that the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that Jesus was the one that would baptize with the Holy Spirit because He is the Son of God.
In verse 35 we find that on the very next day John the Baptist and two of his disciples are together when John sees Jesus again. John’s response is to again call attention to Jesus. The text does not indicate exactly where John and his disciples were at or if the two disciples had been with John the previous day. What is clear is both John’s response and the response of the two disciples.
John’s response is to make sure his two disciples know exactly who Jesus is. John repeats the declaration he had made the previous day, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" We dealt with this last week, but it bears repeating. The word translated as "behold" here is an interjection. It is a statement to draw attention to something – Behold! Look! "There He is! And who is it? The Lamb of God.
This title, "The Lamb of God," identifies the origin of Jesus as well as His purpose. A lamb was used as a substitutionary sacrifice for sin. Sin is anything that is contrary to or fails to meet the holy standards of God. Sin includes lying, stealing, coveting, adultery, hatred, idolatry, dishonoring parents, etc. The penalty for sin is death (Ezk 18:4; Rom. 3:23). The lamb would died as a substitute for the person that sinned. The problem with the sacrificial system is that an animal is not sufficient to pay the penalty. Heb. 10:4 tells us that they could never take away sin. We could not provide for ourselves because even our best efforts to do good before the Holy God are as filthy rags before Him (Isa. 64:6). What we could not do, God did for us. God provided a perfect lamb in Jesus Christ that would be a sufficient substitute payment for our sins. Jesus lived a sinless life. He fulfilled the Law, and His work on the cross was the perfect payment for sins past, present and future. All of our sins were nailed to the cross with Him (Col. 2:14).
Are you still trying to somehow pay for your own sins? Do you still think that if you are good enough God will accept you? Either you have had your sins nailed to the cross, or you are still carrying them around. Have you turned to Jesus, the Lamb of God and let His sacrifice take away your sins?
The response of the two disciples in verse 37 is a clear contrast to the others that had heard John’s proclamation about Jesus the previous day. 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
What of those that were present the day before when John declared Jesus to be "The Lamb of God who is taking away the sins of the world." The Priest and Levites may have still been there. Those present heard John testify that Jesus was the one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit. They heard John proclaim what the Holy Spirit had revealed to him, that Jesus is the Son of God. Yet, there is no indication in this text or any other passage that they believed John or responded in any positive manner to what he said. There is no indication that they did any further investigation at that time into the claims made about Jesus. We know from Matt. 21:25,26; Luke 20:5,6 that the Pharisees and other religious leaders rejected John and his testimony.
If a person has already made up their mind so that they refuse to consider any other possibility, you can not argue them into submission. In short, you can not argue someone into the kingdom of heaven. All you can do is declare the truth the most clear way you know how. The best you can do is to challenge them to think and investigate for themselves. The change of heart and mind is a work of the Holy Spirit in that person’s life.
John’s disciples responded in a completely different manner. They hear John say it and they followed Jesus. The exact scene is not recorded, but you can get the sense if you can picture John standing with these two men, possibly by the Jordan river. John points out Jesus who is walking by and he declares to them who Jesus is. The two disciples then leave John and start following Jesus.
What a testimony to John’s humility which he later expressed so well when he stated that Jesus must increase and he must decrease (Jn. 3:30). John does not have an ego problem. He knew the purpose of his life and it was to point people to the Messiah. As Christians that is also the purpose of our life. We are to tell others about Jesus. We are to live in such a way that people can see Jesus living in us. We are to point people to Jesus. Our lives are really about Him, not us.
Verses 38,39 tells of Jesus response to these two men. 38 And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to Him, "Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come, and you will see." They came therefore and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
Jesus noticed them following and turned around to talk with them. Jesus’ question is a simple one, "What do you seek?" Notice that it is "what" and not "whom." Jesus is inquiring their reason for following him. What do they want from Jesus? Their answer is in the form of a polite address, "Rabbi." John is writing to a largely Greek audience in Ephesus, so he translates the term for them. Rabbi means "teacher." It is a polite term of respect given to someone they know is important, but they do not yet have a personal relationship or any greater understanding of him. As they get to know Jesus they will start calling him "Lord." So it is for the Christian as well. Before we know Jesus we may address Him with politeness and respect, but as come to know Him and develop a relationship with Him we speak to Him with terms reflective of that relationship – submission to who He is – "Lord;" gratitude for what He has done for us – "Savior;" the intimacy of a personal relationship with Him – "Jesus."
The disciples respond that they want to know where He is staying. This is not a curiosity question. When I worked for the County of Los Angeles I would occasionally have to work Hollywood. There you will find street vendors selling maps showing where the homes of famous were located. Curious people would buy these things and drive around to find them so they could say they saw the home of so and so. These two disciples were not curious about seeing the place where Jesus was staying. They wanted the opportunity for uninterrupted conversation with Jesus. They took what John the Baptist has said about Jesus very seriously. They wanted to talk with Jesus personally and find out more about Him. It would have been rather difficult for them to do that standing in the open.
Jesus responds with an invitation, "Come, and you will see." They follow Jesus and find where He is staying, and then stayed there for the rest of the day. Verse 40 tells specifically that one of these disciples is Andrew. The other disciple does not declare himself by name in the text, but it can be easily deduced that it was John. John was so impressed with this first meeting with Jesus that he even remembered the hour that he first met Jesus – about the 10th hour.
There is some question about what time this actually was. Some have argued that according to Jewish time keeping, this would be the 10th hour from Sunrise (6 a.m.), and so would be 4 in the afternoon. It can be better argued that this reference to the Roman method of tracking time, the same method that we use, since John uses that method elsewhere in his account (4:6,52; 20:19). In addition, there would not have been enough time left in the day for them to have met with Jesus at 4 p.m. and still accomplish the events recorded in verse 40-42. Andrew and John met with Jesus throughout the day starting at 10 in the morning. They had their questions answered and then they responded to what they had learned. Notice their conclusions and response.
40 One of the two who heard John [speak,] and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
They have concluded that Jesus is the Messiah. John again translates the term for the gentiles that would be reading his gospel account. Jesus is the promised one of the Old Testament. He is the "anointed one," which is the meaning of both the Hebrew word, "Messiah" and the Greek word, "Christ." Andrew goes immediately to find his brother and tell him of their discovery.
This response lets us know that Andrew and John understood the ministry of the John the Baptist as the forerunner of Messiah and they were looking for him to come. When John pointed Jesus out they immediately went to investigate if Jesus was indeed the Messiah, and then finding that He was, they go to tell others.
What a wonderful example of the heart that wants to know God and is truly searching for the truth. First, they are faithfully following what they presently know to be true. Second, they are diligent in looking for more truth and a deeper understanding of God. Third, they investigate what they find to determine the validity of the claims. Fourth, they go and tell others their conclusions. Do you truly want to know God better? Are you a truth seeker? Simon was.
It must be concluded that Simon was also looking for the coming of Messiah for he immediately went with Andrew to meet Jesus. And when Jesus met Simon, our text says He looked upon him. Jesus looked Simon over and then made a declaration about him. You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas which is translated in Greek as Peter. The name, Simon, is from a Hebrew word which means to "hear" and Cephas or Peter means "rock." This is a demonstration of Jesus deity. Jesus just met Simon, but being God he is able to assess and declare the character trait that Simon would one day have. This is both a prediction and a promise. Simon would become a rock, and so his name was changed to Peter.
What a precious promise to us as well for God has dealt with us in a similar manner. He did not take us for what we but what He would make us to be. Lost in our sins God found us. Walking according to the course of this world, God changed our direction. Being by nature children of darkness, God changed us into children of light. To be in Christ is to become a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17) and God is faithful to complete the work He begins (Phil. 1:6). God knows exactly what you are, but He sees you for what you will be.
Verse 43 begins the events the next day. 43 The next day He purposed to go forth into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow Me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
Jesus plans to the region of Galilee. We know from Chapter 2 that He is to be at a wedding there in a few days. Whatever the particular reason for going to Galilee, before He does, our text here tells us that Jesus found Philip. Possibly Andrew and Peter had told Jesus about Philip the previous days since they were all from the same city of Bethsaida. We are not exactly sure where Bethsaida was located other than it was on the Sea of Galilee, for its name means, "House of fishing," and that it was probably not far from Capernum.
It appears that Andrew, Peter and Philip had all come down together to where John was baptizing. It is clear that Philip was also one who was seeking after the Messiah for when Jesus commands him to come, the clear implication is that he did so and became one of his disciples. He also immediately went to tell someone else of what he had found out.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and [also] the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Nathanael is from Cana of Galilee (21:2). In the synoptic accounts, Nathanael is referred to as Bartholomew, meanings "son of Tholmai." Nathanael means, "God has given." We do not know anything of what relationship Philip and Nathanael had with each other prior to this occasion, but it is clear here that they are friends and both of them were seekers of the Messiah. Philip declares to his friend that they had found the one Moses and the prophets had foretold. The "we" would most likely be a reference to Andrew, Simon and John who had become Jesus’ disciples the previous day. They all had concluded that Jesus was the promised Messiah, and Philip wanted Nathanael to know.
Philip makes it clear exactly who he is talking about by referencing Jesus by name, family and hometown. This is the Jesus who is the son of Joseph. Philip is not making a theological statement here, but simply a reference to how Jesus would be known and distinguished from any other Jesus. He also points out that this is the Jesus who was from Nazareth. Possibly Nathanael may have met Jesus at some previous time since Nazareth is only about five miles from Cana. In the Greek, the description ends with the word, Nazareth. (We have found Jesus the son of Joseph, the one from Nazareth).
Nathanael immediately picks up on this and challenges Philip’s claim. 46 And Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see. "
Some have claimed that this statement is a put down of Nazareth because of some rivalry between Cana and Nazareth. I don’t see it that way. I see it as the question of someone that knew the prophecies concerning the coming of Messiah and is questioning how Messiah could come from Nazareth. I see this more as a challenge to Philip’s claim. Nathanael is questioning if there is any prophecy which tells of good coming form Nazareth. How then could Jesus be the Messiah if that is where Jesus is from.
Philip’s answer is appropriate and a good model to follow when people ask us hard questions about our faith which we might not have a answer for. "Come and see." Philip does not try to argue, he simply invites them to investigate further for themselves. A good practice for us to follow as well. When you are asked one of those tough questions. You do not need to be intimidated. Simply be humble, and invite them to investigate further for themselves. But notice this is not just passing the buck. It is "come and see." It is an invitation to come alongside to investigate. We need to do the same.
Nathanael takes up the invitation and goes with Philip to meet Jesus, and Jesus makes a declaration about Nathanael’s character.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" This is quite a statement about Nathanael which is even stronger than would first appear because there is a word play on Jewish history. Jacob was renamed Israel by God just prior to his return to Canaan. Jacob was a deceiver. He could not be trusted. Jesus points out that Nathanael is a descendent of this deceiver, but he is of opposite character. The word translated here as guile or deceit is doloV/dolos which is the word for fish bait. Nathanael was honest and upfront about what he thought about things. He would not say one thing while thinking another. That character is displayed again in verse 48.
48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
Most people would simply thank the person for the compliment, but Nathanael, true to character speaks his mind. Nathanael wants to know how Jesus could make such an assessment of him when they had just met. He makes no denial of the statement which reaffirms that the statement was accurate.
Jesus answer is one of omniscience. We are not told exactly what Jesus meant, but Nathanael did. This is not some statement about seeing Nathanael at an earlier time when Nathanael had not noticed him. This is not some cryptic statement with some hidden meaning if only we could figure out what the statements represented. Nathanael’s response lets us know that Jesus statement is one of omniscience. Jesus had supernatural knowledge about Nathanael being under a fig tree earlier and Nathanael acknowledged this.
49 Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." Nathanael recognizes Jesus must be the Messiah, the Son of God, the promised King of Israel for He did something that no human could possibly have done.
50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." 51 And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Jesus answer is more of a rhetorical question in which He promises Nathanael that he and others would see future glories.
What are the greater things that he would see? The allusion in verse 51 is to the vision Jacob had in Genesis 28. The patriarch Jacob had a dream the night during his flight from his brother Esau. In this dream he saw a ladder extending from Earth to heaven and on the ladder were the angels of God ascending and descending. In the midst of this dream Jacob hears the voice of God pronounce His blessing upon him. "And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed."
Here Jesus tells Nathanael what he would see in the future would be similar to Jacob’s dream. There is an interesting change in the pronoun here from second person singular to second person plural. It would not be just Nathanael, but others too, that would see these things. They would see the glories of heaven and the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Jesus takes the place of the ladder in Jacob’s dream. Jesus is the link between Earth and Heaven.
Nathanael had experienced Jesus omniscience and so had seen a glimpse of Jesus’ deity. In the future Nathanael and the other disciples would see display after display of Jesus deity in various healings, casting out of demons, control of the elements, forgiving sins and having power over death.
Nathanael had already come to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. He would come to understand that Jesus is also Son of Man. He is God in human flesh. The mediator between man and God.
What experience have you had with Jesus so far? Jesus first revealed Himself to those that were looking for Him. Are you looking for Him?
Who do you understand Jesus to be? Those that were searching for the savior found Him, investigated and concluded that Jesus was the promised savior from sin. Have you allowed Jesus to save you from your sin yet?
What do you response have you had to Jesus? Those who were searching for Him became His disciples after they had found Him. Are you His disciple? Jesus desires that you would be for He calls to all you are weary and heavy-laden with sin to come and find their rest in Him (Matt. 11:28). Jesus calls on all to follow Him (16:24). And to those that will follow Him He will show the glories of heaven. Are you Jesus’ disciple? If you are not, you can be today. If you are, then follow the example of Andrew and Philip. Go and tell someone else what you have found and invite them to join you as you follow Jesus.
Sermon Study Sheets
KIDS CORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Discuss the sermon with them. Here is some help for your children. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up later. 2) Count how many times the term "disciple" is used in the sermon. Talk with your parents about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others.
What is the context of John 1:35-51? What is the significance of John’s statement that Jesus is the "Lamb of God." What was the response of the two disciples when they hear John’s declaration? How did they differ from the Priests and Levites (vs 19-34)? What can you do to help a person who is not searching for the truth? What example does John the Baptist give that Christians should follow? Why did the two disciples want to know where Jesus was staying? What is Jesus’ response to those who seek Him? Who were the two disciples? What was their conclusion after personally investigating Jesus? What did they do in response to their conclusion? What are four characteristics of someone that is truly seeking God as compared to scoffer? Why did Jesus change Simon’s name? What did Philip do after he met Jesus? What does it mean that Nathanael was an Israelite without guile? What was his response to Jesus? How did Jesus respond to him?
Sermon Notes – 11/14/1999 a.m.
The First Disciples: John 1:35-51
John 1:35 (NASB) Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked upon Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"
37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to Him, "Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come, and you will see." They came therefore and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two who heard John [speak,] and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
43 The next day He purposed to go forth into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow Me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and [also] the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
46 And Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"
48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
49 Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." 50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." 51 And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
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