And They Were Called!!!
John 1:35-51
The end of the first chapter of John highlights the calling of some of Jesus’ disciples. It its a poignant reminder that God will call us out of where we are at to be used for the glory of HIS kingdom. It also shows that God uses all sorts of people to achieve HIS will for humanity here on Earth.
In this early description of the calling of the first few disciples we see that they were drawn to Jesus because they could see that he fulfilled the Old testament scriptures before HE had even started HIS ministry. They could link what John the Baptist was saying with what they knew of the Old Testament prophecies.
(artwork by Schism)
John 1:35-51 says…
Verses 35-39: “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.”
John starts to transition along the historical timeline - moving from the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist to the declaration of Jesus as the Messiah.
Note that two of John the Baptists disciples (one of whom we will find out is Andrew) left John the Baptist and followed Jesus. A good teacher of the word should direct people to Jesus. If they aren’t then they are not accurately teaching the word, and those that follow them may be doing so for the cult of personality (which is such a big problem in the modern church globally).
They they almost pursued Jesus. They chased HIM down and asked HIM where he was staying. They were literally asking where HIS presence was dwelling.
Here’s a question for you (and for me)… “When was the last time you actively chased down Jesus and asked where HIS presence is?”
Perhaps we need to be more like Andrew and the other disciple.
Verses 40-43: “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Andrew the disciple had been hearing John the Baptist preaching and teaching about the coming messiah. And when HE found and followed Jesus one of his immediate actions was to go find others to tell them.
Before they had even started to participate in Jesus’ ministry and be taught by HIM, they were already spreading the gospel.
How much more-so should we be doing that when we have seen the impact of Jesus in our lives, as well as in the lives of our friends and family - combined with our knowledge of the complete word of God.
Andrew then led his brother (Simon) to Jesus. This is our duty too. Matthew 28:19-20 tells us “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
By bringing Simon to Jesus - Jesus starts by informing Simon that he has a new name (and we will find our in the other gospels that Jesus is calling him to a new purpose).
Then as they went to leave the next day, Jesus called Philip who lived in the area to follow HIM.
Verses 44-50: “Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked, “Come and see,” said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you. Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see, ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
Philip continues spreading the news that the Messiah had been found. He tells Nathaniel a friend of his about Jesus. And took Nathaniel to see Jesus.
There, Jesus speaks into Nathaniel’s life by letting him know God sees his righteousness and faith in God (Yahweh).
This prophetic insight also shows the divinity that Jesus had already begun to show to HIS disciples.
It is interesting to note that even before Jesus starts to deeply teach HIS disciples HE lets them in on a piece of prophecy in stating that they will see HIM ascend to Heaven (referring to after HIS death and resurrection).
It is also the first reference of the ‘Son of Man’ name that Jesus used of himself.
We can see that God calls all sorts of people to follow HIM and to be part of HIS ongoing ministry to humanity. We see the brothers Andrew and Peter who were fisherman, and we see Nathaniel who was a very devout, religious man. We can read in the other gospels the accounts of the calling of the other disciples, and we see Matthew the tax collector, or even Simon the freedom fighter (Zealot), or the brothers James and John who were also hard fighting fishermen.
What this means is that we have no excuse not to be used, or be willing to be used bu God for the glory of HIS kingdom, and for leading others to Jesus.
I pray that God emboldens you to speak about Jesus to those who do not know HIM, to show HIS love and grace to them by how you act and interact with others.