John Series Part 7 Series

John Series Part 7

John 1:35-42

Pastor Rodney A. Fry, MA, MDIV, MS, LPC

September 26, 2021

Jesus the Messiah, the Christ: The Witness of Andrew, 1:35–42

(1:35–42) Introduction: this was Andrew’s discovery of Jesus. He discovered that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ. (See note, Andrew—Mk. 3:18 for more discussion.)

1. Andrew’s experience (vv.35–37).

2. Andrew’s critical hour (vv.38–39).

3. Andrew’s great decision: he came and saw Christ and remained (vv.39–40).

4. Andrew’s first concern: his brother (v.41).

5. Andrew’s conviction: Jesus was the Messiah (v.41).

6. Andrew’s fruit: Simon was brought to Jesus and was reaped (v.42).

1 (1:35–37) Andrew: there was Andrew’s experience. His experience was simple, somewhat like the experience of many who come to Christ.

a. Andrew stood where preaching was. Note the word stood (v.35). John had been holding his campaign around the Jordan. Andrew, who had an ache for the Word of God, had become interested in what was happening and had attended the meetings, and had at some point became a follower of this preacher of righteousness. The point to see is that Andrew hungered for righteousness; therefore, he availed himself of the opportunity to hear preaching. He “stood” right in the midst of preaching. He was there to hear the Messiah proclaimed.

b. Andrew “heard him [the preacher] speak.” He was listening to the message, not allowing his mind to ramble elsewhere. He was alert and awake; therefore, when the announcement of the Messiah came, he was ready. Note also the message: “Behold the Lamb of God.” It was the message of the Messiah’s sacrificial death (see note—Jn. 1:29).

c. Andrew “followed Jesus.” The word followed (ekolouthesan) is in the Greek aorist tense, meaning a once-for-all act. Andrew was turning to Jesus, ready to make a commitment to Him. He wanted to become a disciple of Jesus.

Thought 1. The same three steps must be taken by each of us.

(1) A person must stand where the Word, Christ Himself, is preached. A person must have a hunger that drives him to preaching, a hunger that drives him to stay alert and awake to hear the Word proclaimed.

(2) A person must hear the Word, the announcement: the Lamb of God has come to take away the sin of the world.

(3) A person must follow Jesus.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, Saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12).

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (Jn. 10:27).

“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (Jn. 12:26).

“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain upon the earth” (Ho. 6:3).

Thought 2. Two things will cause a man to miss Christ.

(1) Not standing where Christ is preached: standing elsewhere in the world, in self, in the flesh; standing in the midst of those who do not care for Christ nor for the preaching of the Word.

(2) Not hearing: allowing the mind to wander, being sleepy-eyed, disinterested, distracted, inattentive.

Thought 3. Note several significant facts about John.

(1) His message was Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

(2) His purpose was to point people, even his own followers, to Christ. He wanted people to be where they could receive and grow the most. (How different from so many ministers!)

(3) His spirit was filled with enormous humility. He was completely selfless. He pointed His own followers to Christ and encouraged them to follow Him.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things … but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pe. 1:18–19).

2 (1:38–39) Andrew—Seeking Christ—Invitation: there was Andrew’s critical hour. This is a most graphic picture: it shows the great eagerness of Jesus to reach men. Jesus longs for men to come to Him, and He longs to reach out to help them in their coming. Note: Jesus was walking some distance away and Andrew and his friend were following behind Jesus. Jesus did three things that demonstrated His great eagerness.

a. “Jesus turned” to face them. This was a clear demonstration of His open arms, His willingness, and His eagerness for them to join Him. He knew their hearts had just been stirred to reach out to Him and to follow Him, so He immediately snapped around to face them and help them. (See Lu. 15:20.)