John 1:35-49
INTRO: Good morning church. In studying John’s Gospel we learned that John the witness was sent by God for a purpose. We read that he called himself “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the Lord,''” When Jesus came toward him, he began declaring, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” With that great declaration! John is doing his mission, proclaiming and revealing that Jesus is the one sent by God to deliver the people from their sins, to save them from their coming punishment.
I. Follow The Lamb (1:35-39) – Let’s begin today by reading John 1:35-39 – “35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.”[ESV]
A. In verse 35 we are told it was the next day and John the Witness was standing with two of his disciples. Jesus walks by and John continued his proclamation: “Behold, the Lamb of God.” John was pointing out Jesus to those two disciples. When John’s disciples heard his declaration of Jesus as the Lamb of God, they leave John and follow Jesus. Remember a disciple is a learner, a student and these two it seems wanted to know more. Perhaps John had given them more detail already but that is our imagination since we are not told.
1. John knew and repeatedly declared that his work was not about himself, but about revealing Jesus as the Lamb of God to Israel. Seeing the Lamb of God and understanding that Jesus is the one, who takes away our sins; the reaction of these two disciples is absolutely appropriate. That really should be the same reaction that we have.
2. We are not told what the conversation was between those two disciples and John. We don't know what they were doing at that moment, or what plans they might have had for that day. They stop what they're doing and immediately follow Jesus.
3. We are told when they see that Jesus is the one that they have been looking for, here is the one who has come to take away our sins, they drop everything and go after Him. They're not going to let Him get away as He continues along.
B. This is the point that John the Apostle is making. When a person encounters Jesus and understands who He is, not just some good guy, not just somebody who gives advice from His Word, advice that is useful and gives you a better life. But that Jesus is the eternal Word who came from Heaven, who died for our sins so that we could be forgiven. When we truly have a handle on that knowledge, then we are going to stop everything we are doing. We will leave everything behind and we are going to follow Him.
1. You don't go back to doing what you were doing before. You don't go back to the old routine. You don't get back to your old schedule. You don't go back to your normal way of life. Everything changes at that point.
2. And everything must change or otherwise, I submit to you, that you truly don't know who Jesus is. It changes everything when you grasp that there is the Lamb of God who will take away my sins.
C. In verse 38 we read, “Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”” Jesus notices that they are following Him. Jesus asks them an important question. “What are you seeking?” Obviously Jesus knows what these two are doing. Notice that Jesus does not ask them who they are seeking, but what they are seeking. I suspect that He wants them to consider what their motivation is.
1. That is something we need to consider about ourselves. What is our motivation? From my limited experience over the years, the conversations I have had and the comments people have made, the answers are widely varied as to why people follow Jesus. I wonder perhaps if sometimes the motivation is merely social.
2. Perhaps we may follow Jesus for some sort of social benefit. How often today people speak of the church in terms of social benefits. People will readily declare that they go to church because the people are nice, the programs are good, the children’s ministry is excellent, the music is good, the food is good, the potlucks are great, or something like that. These things are nice but they are not the reason to follow Jesus and I wonder why these things might come to people’s lips first?
3. Perhaps some follow Jesus to feel good about them selves. You'll feel so much better about yourself if you attend service. That's not the reason to follow Jesus. In fact, following Jesus often does the opposite. It is a constant reminder to us of our sinfulness and of our shortcomings. He is so holy and good and righteous, and we so often fall short.
4. I also suspect some people just follow Jesus because that's all they've ever done. My parents went to church and my grandparents went to church and their parents went to church. Perhaps they don't know what else to do on a Sunday or they feel weird if they didn't go to church on Sunday. It wouldn't feel right. Some people come out of habit. This is what they've always done. They do not follow from the heart but from habit. They follow because they think they have to, not because they want to. I think it is a very valid question to consider why we are here following Jesus.
5. I suspect this is the question that Jesus wants these disciples to consider. Their response in verse 38 was more timid and hesitant than we might have expected. Instead of answering; "We understand that you are the Messiah, the Lamb of God that takes away sins and would like to follow you," they politely addressed Him as "Rabbi," and inquired where He lived! John then explains the term "Rabbi" and that leads me to think that the greater part of the Christian world to which this was written, was Gentile.
D. In verse 39 Jesus rewarded the two disciples by inviting them home with Him, which resulted in their spending the day. Jesus understood that they want to get to know Him and spend time with Him. They wanted to learn more about the Lamb of God. That's why they ask, “Where are you staying?”, because they want to be there too.
1. Jesus responds with the words they were hoping to hear: “Come and you will see.” Jesus receives people who with honest hearts are seeking to know Him. The only reason to follow Jesus is because you are seeking a relationship with the sin remover.
2. Following Jesus is about our needing a Savior. We're not following for any other reason except that we want to have a relationship with the one who can take away sins. Yes, there are other benefits but that is the most important thing.
II. Be Changed By Jesus (1:40-42) – Continue with me now in John 1:40-42 – “40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which 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 means Peter.)”[ESV]
A. Andrew is one of the two disciples of John that heard John say, “Behold, the Lamb of God” when Jesus walked by. Andrew and the other disciple turned to follow Jesus. Andrew goes and finds his brother Simon and tells him that they had found the Messiah. I suspect at this point Andrew was probably quite excited and in my imagination I picture him saying to Simon; “We have found Him, we have found the One! We found the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!
1. Andrew takes his brother to meet Jesus. Jesus looks at Simon and says; “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas”. Not a very dramatic statement, yet imagine how you would feel if somebody that you've just met, knows you, knows who your father is and effectively says you’re not going to be called Simon but Cephas.
2. For those that are interested in these things "Cephas" is a Syriac word which is a Semitic language, specifically a dialect of Aramaic, the everyday language of the Jews at that time. “Cephas” is equivalent to the Greek word Pétros, which we render "Peter." Both mean stone or rock.
3. I think it is interesting to consider that what Jesus does here is point out to us that He not only has the ability, but He has the absolute authority to change our identity. Thinking about it, Jesus has the ability and the authority to change everything about you.
B. Calling someone “Rock” is a strong name. Think of the many times that word is used in scripture and it gives us a picture of solidity, and permanence. Yet when we read of Peter in the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, does he seem to be as solid as a rock to you?
1. Certainly I’m impressed by his bravery at times, his courage and willingness to declare his loyalty. Peter’s temperament was resolute. Think about the walking on water for example in Matthew 14; “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Wow, I am amazed and I don’t think I would have done that.
2. Then we think about the colossal failures of Peter. The most notable one to me is in the courtyard of the high priest where Jesus is having that awful trial. Mark reminded us of this last week. “Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.” (Matthew 26:57f)
a. A servant said to Peter “You were with him” and Peter denied it even going so far as to say “I do not know what you mean.” Another said “This man was with Jesus” and Peter denied it with an oath. Then a bystander accused Peter of being “one of them” and Peter said “I do not know the man.” At this point Luke writes, “And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.''”[ESV] (Luke 22:60f)
b. What a colossal failure, especially when Jesus warned him, you're going to deny me three times. Recall what Peter had said? “… I will never fall away.” (Matthew 26:33)
C. Consider the prophetic blessing Jesus was placing upon Simon though. Jesus changes Simon’s name to Cephas meaning “rock”. Jesus knew what Peter would become.
1. When we get to the book of Acts, that's exactly what we see. What a magnificent shift in the life of Peter, who goes from shaky and falling, making mistakes and colossal errors—to becoming a solid leader.
2. There he is in Acts chapter 2, standing up with the 11 proclaiming the message of a risen Savior in the face of the enemies, in the face of imprisonment, in the face of danger and death. Did Peter still have some things to learn? Oh yes, but we now see him as the “rock” Jesus named him.
3. Peter is the right name for you, Jesus says. You are going to be the rock. What is especially awesome about this name change is that it does not seem like Peter is a rock during the life of Jesus. He is full of faith and fire for Jesus but we see him falter on many occasions, even to the denying Jesus three times during His darkest hour, but Jesus knew what Peter would become.
D. What about us? What will we become for the glory of the Lord? What are we going to do for His kingdom? What can we accomplish for him? We know that what we accomplish is not for our own personal benefit, not for our own glory; but what are we going to do in the work of the kingdom of God?
1. Folks, we must never look at our past and our failures and think they prohibit us from working for the kingdom and working for the glory of God. We could easily look at our past and say, I can't be what God wants me to be. Think of what Mark told us last week about John Newton and how he had concluded that his sins were too great to be forgiven. We can’t do that.
2. Can you imagine how Peter would feel if he did that on that day of Pentecost? He might look back at his history and think; “Man, I was sinking in water, I lost faith, I nearly drowned, and I denied our Lord three times!” “I’m obviously not cut out to be an Apostle. I’m not worthy to stand here and preach to people. It should be John or Andrew, anybody else but me!” No Peter, be the rock.
E. If you have ever been involved in looking at investment choices perhaps for a 401k IRA, you probably read about all those great returns that have happened over the past five years, this investment got returns of 15% year after year or the like. Then somewhere in the paperwork you find a line like this, “Past performance is not an indication of future results.”
1. That applies to us as well. All of our past failures and mistakes and sins and errors do not have to be an indication of future results. That's not who we have to be. That's what Jesus does with Peter.
2. Jesus is God, He knows Peter. Jesus could say, “I already know the mistakes you're going to make, but I also know what's past that. I know you're going to fall on your face. I know that you're going to slip up. I know that you're going to be tempted. I know that you're going to make colossal errors, but you don't have to keep doing that.” That doesn't disqualify you from serving God.
3. It is so true of us. Your past does not have to be an indication of what you can be for the Lord. How about Paul for example? Paul is a monument to a disastrous beginning. Persecuting Christians, chasing them down, Acts recalls that he was causing havoc in the churches.
4. Paul considered his past a mark of being the chief of sinners, but look at the glory he brought to the Lord through his life! You can be changed to be a rock in the kingdom of the Lord.
III. Jesus Knows Our Condition (1:43-49) – You can be changed into the rock just like Peter and just like Paul. You and I have the same ability to turn our lives away from disaster because of the glory of God, and to become what He wants us to be. Those that come to Christ must come with a fixed resolution to be firm and constant for Him, like a stone, solid and steadfast. I’d like to touch on one more thing and point out just how John the Apostle puts this text together.
A. John 1:43-49 - “43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, 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 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered 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!””
1. Notice the conversation in verses 45-46. Here we see an observable mixture of pious zeal with weakness. This is usually found in beginners that are seeking the way to God. Philip, newly acquainted with Jesus himself, steps aside to share the good news. It also shows us that Philip was well acquainted with the scriptures.
2. Rather then our being upset with Nathanael’s reaction, I think his caution could be considered commendable, in that he did not lightly agree to every thing that was said. Philip’s response was both wise and kind. He knew enough to satisfy himself but rather then attempt to answer Nathanael’s objection on his own, he took him to the One that could.
3. It is sad but many people are kept from accepting Christ by the unreasonable prejudices they have against Christianity. These prejudices come from many places.
B. What we read next is similar to what we saw before. Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus and “Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John.” Philip tells Nathanael to come meet Jesus and “Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”. Nathanael then asks, “How do you know me?” Jesus answer must have rocked Nathanael back on his heals. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
1. “I know that you have no deceit. I know where you were earlier.” Jesus is displaying His divinity to Nathanael. This pushes Nathanael over the edge to recognizing that Jesus is truly the Son of God. Jesus knew the physical and spiritual condition of Nathanael. He knew where Nathanael was that day and He knew the heart of Nathanael.
2. We read that “before” Philip called Nathanael Jesus saw him under the fig-tree. Isn’t it interesting that His eye was towards him before Philip called him? Christ has knowledge of us before we have any knowledge of Him. In Isaiah 45:5 God is speaking to Cyrus and says, “…I will gird you, though you have not known Me…”.
3. What Jesus says to Nathanael would have been a private token which nobody understood but Nathanael. We are not told why he was under the fig tree but Jesus words “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” gives me to wonder if as Matthew Henry said; “Nathanael here in was an Israelite indeed, that, like Israel, he wrestled with God alone, prayed not like the hypocrites in the corners of the streets, but under the fig-tree”.
C. We are not told what Nathanael was doing but we are told the important part, Jesus knows what you are doing and knows your heart. Jesus knows everything about us, and He has the power to change us.
1. He knows the challenges that you are facing. He knows the difficulties that you have. He knows the spiritual battle that is going on inside your heart and mind. He's aware of all of that. He knows what's happening. He knows your heart.
2. Nobody is outside of this gospel call. It doesn't matter what you've done. It doesn't matter what difficulty is there. It doesn't matter how tough things have been. He knows what you're going through. He knows who you are and He wants you to follow Him.
CONCLUSION:
To conclude then; we need to consider if we are following Him for the right reason. Jesus knows why you're here. Jesus knows your motivation. He knows your heart.
We need to make sure that we are turning our heart to Christ because He wants us to have a deeper relationship with Him. He wants you to see Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
See who He is, deepen that relationship and follow Him with all of your heart. Your mistakes and your sins do not prevent you from getting those things washed away. God will forgive you of your sins and you can move forward in serving Him and giving Him the glory as you serve in this kingdom.
That's why Jesus came. He died for your sins, not because you and I would be perfect people. We are all sinful, fallen, broken people. Yet, God sent His son to take away our sins so that we could become His adopted children and live with Him in Glory.
It is spring time here and it is a time of renewal of the living things around us. It is also the first day of the week, a time of renewal as well. Now is a time to dedicate your heart and dedicate your mind to seek a real relationship with your Lord. To see Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. When you see Him as He is, then what else can you do but drop everything, change your life, and give Him all that He demands because He's been so good and gracious to us.
Turn away from your sins. Confess Him as the Son of God and be immersed in water to have your sins washed away to begin a relationship with the Father.
Won't you come while we stand and while we sing?
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Reference Sermon: Brent Kercherville
