Drawn To Jesus-5 Series

DRAWN TO JESUS—V—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.” & 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, ‘& 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)

4. PROMISE(:42b)

5. INVITATION(:43-44)

6. SUPPOSITION(:45-46)

7—Disciples are drawn to Jesus thru their…

HONESTY(:47-49)

Explanation:(:47-49)Pretense

:47—“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, & said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” ”

Jesus knew the heart of Nathanael. Nathanael was not “deceitful” as some of the Jews were who would not come to see Jesus(Gen. 27:35-36; 28:10ff.; 30:37-43; 32:24-30; 34; Ps.32:2) much less put their trust in Him as Messiah. Jacob=“One who takes by the heel”; one who supplants(Gen. 27:36). Jacob’s name changed to Israel(Gen. 32:28). Israel’s sons were “deceitful”(Gen. 34:13) & paid dearly for it(Gen. 49:5-7).

Though Nathanael held to certain prejudices, there was no duplicity on his part. Thus his prejudices could be changed/discarded thru true knowledge, rather than reliance upon presumption/assumption.

Rom. 2:28-29—“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; & circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.”

Rom. 9:6-8—“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”

Gal. 6:15, 16—“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace & mercy be upon them, & upon the Israel of God.”

Rev. 2:8, 9—“& to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First & the Last, who was dead, & came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, & poverty (but you are rich); & I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews & are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”

:48—“Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered & said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” ”

Evidently Nathanael didn’t know Jesus personally, so that he was taken aback by Jesus’ introductory statement(:47). Jesus answered by telling Nathanael about him sitting under the “fig tree.”

We are not told prior to this revelation that Philip’s search had found Nathanael under a “fig tree.” Judging from Nathanael’s response to Jesus, the “fig tree” was obviously not known thru Philip & Nathanael’s arrival.

Also “under the fig tree” may be an allusion to rabbinical thought equating to, ‘meditation on the Law.”—EBC He had an obvious trust in the coming of Messiah & he would have at minimum received schooling in the rudiments of Torah & Pentateuch.

:49—“Nathanael answered & said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ”

“Nathanael” knew that no person outside of God could have seen that he was under the fig when Philip called him. Nathanael believed from that miracle, that Jesus was indeed “the Son of God” as well as “the King of Israel.”

These are very descriptive terms & messianic titles, bringing Nathanael on board as disciples with andrew, John, Peter & Philip.

Ps. 2:1-12—Why do the nations rage, & the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, & the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD & against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces & cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, & distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, & I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, & the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’” Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, & rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, & you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”[See Heb. 1:5]