Drawn To Jesus-3 Series

DRAWN TO JESUS—III—John 1:35-51

Attention:

We are drawn to certain actions by what we believe.

John recalled the manner by which Jesus’ disciples first became convinced that He was Messiah.

Some will be drawn to follow Jesus as Messiah/Christ.

What draws/attracts disciples to Jesus Christ?

Why are disciples drawn/attracted to Jesus Christ?

Jn. 6:41-45—“The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father & mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus therefore answered & said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; & I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard & learned from the Father comes to Me.”

8 elements of a disciple’s draw/attraction to Christ Jesus.

We have already found that Disciples are drawn to Jesus thru their…

1. DIRECTION(:35-36)Discipleship

2. DISCOVERY(:37-39)

3. PRIORITY(:40-42a) Prioritize sharing

4—Disciples are drawn to Jesus thru their…

PROMISE(:42b)

Explanation:(:42b)

:42(b)—“And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas”(which is translated, A Stone).”

Jesus revealed that He knew “Simon” was the son of Jonah/John.” Jesus knowing that “Simon” would become a key disciple, said that Simon would be called ‘Cephas’.

God knows your full potential, but you yourself must become convinced of it. Otherwise you will return to & rely upon your flesh regarding your ‘perceived ability.’

“In the ancient Greek petra was used for the massive ledge of rock like Stone Mountain while petrov was a detached fragment of the ledge, though itself large. This distinction may exist in Mt. 16:17ff, except that Jesus probably used Aramaic which would not have such a distinction.”—RWP

In ancient near-eastern thought a name was considered “to signify the personality of an individual.” Rabbi’s would occasionally re-name a student in conformance to his perceived character. A person’s name may be changed by God Himself in order to conform to & better fit their future role.—BECNT

Jesus knew who’s “son” “Simon” was—Ancient near-eastern people were generally recognized not by a ‘last name’(as today) but thru their father’s given name or thru their place of origin. Jesus’ reason for changing Simon’s name would become apparent only later(Mat. 16:13-19).

**Mat. 16:13-19—When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, & others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered & said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered & said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh & blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, & on this rock I will build My church, & the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, & whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, & whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Simon’s new name(Peter) “is proleptic of the new man whom God would…create” in Christ.—BECNT

2 OT Examples:

Abram(“High/Exalted father”)—Abraham(“Father of a multitude”)

Gen. 17:4-5—“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, & you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.”

Jacob(“Heel-catcher/Supplanter/Usurper”)—Israel(“Contender/Striver with God(& men)”)

Gen. 25:24-26—“So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother[Jacob] came out, & his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.”

Gen. 32:24-28—“Then Jacob was left alone; & a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He[the Man] did not prevail against him[Jacob], He touched the socket of his hip; & the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He[the Man] said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he[Jacob] said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God & with men, & have prevailed.”