Drawn To Jesus-2 Series

DRAWN TO JESUS—II—John 1:35-51

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—Disciples are drawn to Jesus thru their…

DISCOVERY(:37-39)

Explanation:(:37-39)

:37—“The two disciples heard him speak, & they followed Jesus.”

These same “two disciples” began to “follow Jesus” for the simple reason that JTB had pointed out to them that Jesus was the “Lamb of God”(:29, 36). These two disciples of John processed John’s directive to look to himself, only as a harbinger, whose entire purpose was to point others to Jesus—God’s Salvation(Mat. 1:21). Others of his disciples were completely oblivious to JTB’s purpose in Jesus(Acts 19:1-7).

Jn. 3:25-36—“Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples & the Jews about purification. And they came to John & said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified--behold, He is baptizing, & all are coming to Him!” John answered & said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands & hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly & speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen & heard, that He testifies; & no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, & has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; & he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John didn’t broadcast loudly that Jesus was the Messiah, but spoke in his normal voice about Jesus’ identity. Two of JTB’s disciples heard him announce Jesus’ identity & believed it to be true. They “followed” Jesus at a distance. Something about their “following” Jesus revealed to them a certainty of who He was. It also revealed a fleshing out of JTB’s statements regarding Jesus.

“Disciples”(See :35)—mayhthv—

“Heard”—akouw—1) To be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf; 2) To hear, 2b) To attend to, consider what is or has been said, 2c) To understand, perceive the sense of what is said; 3) To hear something. Strong—a primary verb; To hear(in various senses).

“Speak”—lalew—) To utter a voice or emit a sound; 2) To speak—2a) To use the tongue or the faculty of speech, 2b) To utter articulate sounds; 3) To talk; 4) To utter, tell; 5) To use words in order to declare one's mind & disclose one's thoughts—5a) To speak. Strong—a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; To talk, i.e. Utter words.

“Followed”(See :38, 43)—akolouyew—1) To follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him; 2) To join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple—2a) Side with his party. Strong—from a(as a particle of union) & keleuyov(a road); properly—To be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany(specially--as a disciple).

:38—“Then Jesus turned, & seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” ”

The 2 heard John’s proclamation & upon hearing it, began to follow Jesus. They perceived yet did not fully understand the connotations of Jesus’ being the Lamb of God.

Jesus turned(from His walking) & noticed the 2 disciples of John following Him. It was obvious to Jesus that these 2 disciples of JTB had a healthy curiosity about Jesus.