Jesus, Messiah Series

Jesus, Messiah John 1:35-42

Our text today describes Jesus’ third day of ministry as the Kingdom of God is inaugurated in the very Person of Jesus Christ and it gives the context of becoming a disciple of Jesus; we read in John 1:35-42:

“The next day again John (the Baptist) 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 (John’s) 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. 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, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

Steps in spiritual growth as DISCIPLES

Jesus begins to call His disciples together and begins with Andrew and one other disciple, who most say it probably of John the Apostle, the author of this Gospel. The text actually demonstrates steps in spiritual growth as DISCIPLES of Jesus. Although the Baptist had his own disciples, those who followed him and were his pupils, his own message of purpose was being the forerunner for the “The Lamb”, he knew that Jesus must increase and he must decrease: In the first day John testified to the Jews; on the second day he bore witness concerning Jesus, and on this third day, he points his own disciples to Jesus. John knew that his ministry was only a small part of the greater picture and the Son of God makes His entrance and introduces the Kingdom of God.

I imagine that John the Baptist had relayed all of his testimony face to face with his disciples, as only a good teacher would do. He probably prepared them for this moment, when Jesus walked by and he declared to them: “This is the Lamb of God!” And when they heard him, THEY FOLLOWED. “FOLLOWING” is taking that first step of faith concerning what you have HEARD and KNOW concerning Jesus. When THE Truth with a capital “T” is revealed to you, and you see Jesus for who He is according to God’s Word, you follow Him. The call of Jesus requires an urgent DECISION to turn in repentance to God, which means a life is turned 180 degrees TO God. It means that by God-given faith you can now live in the light of God’s Kingdom rule in your life. It means that you WILL center your life on the person and work of Jesus as the fullness of the “Good News”: Jesus IS the Gospel!

This is why Disciples of Jesus COMMIT to the person of Jesus: They commit to being taught by their TEACHER. Their desire is always to stay with their teacher and to learn more from Him. Matthew introduces us to Jesus as Messiah, the King of the Jews and the King of God’s Kingdom, that Jesus rules and that His Kingdom subjects humbly submit to Him alone because they KNOW that He will one day return as the VICTORIOUS KING. Mark shows that Jesus came from Heaven as the Servant of God, emphasizing His Service and Sacrifice. Luke shows Jesus as “the Son of Man” in His humanity, rejected by Israel, yet offered to the world on the cross as the sacrifice from God without sin. John reveals Jesus as the Word from God, the Christ,/Messiah, the Lamb of God and the Son of God. Disciples of Jesus are committed to Him BECAUSE He is their Messiah, God’s Servant, Your Savior, the King of Heaven come as God’s Servant, the One and Only Unique Son of God and Son of Man. It’s still the best news on earth!

And so a pattern is immediately established as God uses one disciple to find another. These disciples did not immediately KNOW and understand everything; they still had much to learn. But as Jesus teaches us all about Himself, we go into the world to make disciples, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded us. (Matt 28:19-20) God draws sinners into His Kingdom, THROUGH the MESSAGE of the Gospel: “We have seen the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” The pattern continues today: Disciples share the great news with others that, "We, too, have found the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World"… AND…That Lamb IS MESSIAH: We have found THE “Anointed One”, the Christ (in Gr.) sent from God, not to only liberate Israel, but to be Savior from sin for all those who repent, believe, trust and obey.