John 1:35-51

1.         John and His Disciples (1:35-39)

            John the Baptist had developed a following of disciples, but it was his mission to point people to Jesus.  He clearly understood his task as bearing witness not to himself but to Christ.  As he announced that Jesus is the “Lamb of God” (1:36), two of John’s disciples left to follow Jesus.  One of the disciples is identified as Andrew.  The other is quite possible John, the author of these words.  After spending the day with Jesus, they affirmed that he was indeed the Messiah.

2.            Andrew and Peter (1:40-42)

            Andrew promptly went in search of his brother, Simon.  After declaring that he had “found the Messiah” (1:41), he brought his brother to Jesus.  The first thing Jesus did with Simon was change his name to “Cephas,” which is translated “Peter” in the Greek (1:42).  People were often named or renamed in the biblical period to acknowledge a character trait or a significant event.  The renaming of Simon foreshadowed the character and significance of his person as a disciple of Jesus—he was to become Peter, “the rock.”

3.         Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)

            Jesus himself sought out Philip and called him.  Here Jesus takes the initiative.  Jesus found Philip and said, “Follow me” (1:43).  Philip repeated the earlier pattern of Andrew.  He responded positively and invited Nathanael to meet Jesus.  Nathanael’s response to Jesus came in the form of a confession as he declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (1:49).

            Jesus made an exciting promise to Nathanael and the others.  They would witness “the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (1:51).  Jesus is the one through whom we can have access to and fellowship with God.