Introduction
In 2004, The Barna Group polled teenagers about music piracy. Despite widespread coverage of the legal arguments and fight against this form of theft, the vast majority of teens (86%) believes that copying a CD for a friend or downloading music online that is not paid for, is morally acceptable or is not a moral issue. Only 8% called such activities “morally wrong.” It matters little whether those surveyed attend church or not.
The same is true for adults. Petty office theft, padded expense accounts, pornography – moral failures are almost as common among those claiming to be deeply committed to the Christian faith as it is to those who are not. Our practice does not match our profession.
One reason is simply the continuing struggle with falling short of the mark. The Apostle Paul, one of the authors of the Bible, admitted there were times when he wanted to do what he should, but he could not seem to make himself: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7.15). All who seek to be godly experience that inner conflict.
But there is another issue. Observers of our times have pointed out that few people feel a compulsion to obey God. Some doubt the plausibility of a day of judgment when an account must be given for the life that has been lived. Most, however, are “practical deists” – the god “out there” has no real impact on life “right here.”
Max Lucado (In the Eye of the Storm, 153) quotes a story that first appeared in the magazine of the U.S. Navel Institute. Frank Koch tells of a group of ships on a training mission. They had been on maneuvers in bad weather for several days. Night was approaching, visibility was poor, and there was patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities. In the dark of night, the lookout on the wing reported, “Light, bearing on the starboard bow.”
“Is it steady or moving astern?” the captain called out.
“Steady, Captain,” which meant the ship was on a collision course.
The captain called to the signalman, “Signal that ship: ‘We are on collision course. Advise you change course twenty degrees.’”
Back came the signal, “Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees.”
The captain said, “Send: ‘I’m a captain, change course twenty degrees.’”
“I’m a seaman second-class,” came the reply. “You had better change course twenty degrees.”
By now the captain was furious. He yelled, “Send: ‘I’m a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.’”
Back came the signal: “I’m a lighthouse.”
The Bible claims for God a “lighthouse” kind of authority because he is the fixed one. He cannot budge from his position because of his nature and character. We will either turn in obedience to God or be crushed on the shoals by our rebellion. God’s laws are not arbitrary nor are they intended as mere advisories. They are commands, and good ones – they warn us of danger and guide in the way everlasting.
Once, early in their marriage, Queen Victoria quarreled vehemently with her husband, Prince Albert. Albert stormed out of the room and went to his private quarters. Victoria chased after him, and when she found that he had locked the door to his room, began pounding on the door.
“Who’s there?” Prince Albert asked.
“The Queen of England!” was the reply. But the door remained locked. More pounding followed, but then there was a pause. The next sound was that of a gently tap.
“Who’s there?” Albert inquired.
The queen’s reply: “It’s your wife, Albert.” Prince Albert opened the door immediately.
Obedience, in some ways, is a lighthouse issue. God is not changing course. At the same time, however, God draws us to obedience primarily by gentle grace. In Romans 2, the Apostle Paul asks if we are presuming “on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2.4).
In the text we are studying today, Jesus calls several disciples to follow him. Having entered the world he made, he begins assembling followers. What starts in AD 30 with two disciples now numbers in the billions. By observing how Jesus calls these first men, we learn how God draws us to become followers of the Lamb who are faithful to obey.
1. We Are Drawn to Obedience by God’s Kindness As Seen in the Presence of Jesus (John 1.35-37)
We live in a broken world. In the few weeks since this new year began, we have wondered together about what would cause a man to kidnap children. We have heard of murders and witnessed executions. We have agonized over the war on terror and the terrible damage by Islamic radicals. Children starve to death in Africa. Women in India throw themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre. Slavery ravages the weakest and most vulnerable in nearly every country in the world. Disease, death, destruction of families and innocent lives – all around.
One author entitled his book, Not The Way It’s Supposed To Be. What a perceptive title! Our world displays dazzling beauty but also the deep gash of a wicked curse. Glory and misery bound together so that neither escapes from the other’s clutch. This is the world into which God is born. Rather than wipe away the mess and beginning again, he insists on repairing the damage himself: “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
We already know from reading and studying the Gospel of John that Jesus is truly God united to human flesh. He is not like God, as if he were not really and truly God. Nor is he like a man, as if he were God pretending to be a person. He is both fully God and fully man. As such he is the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1.29).
So God the Son, the Word, the true communication of the essence of God in a real person, comes to earth to repair the break. God so loves the world that he gives his only Son to bear the pain and restore all things to right.
We sing a hymn entitled, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.” It has nine verses, only five of which are in our hymnal. One omitted verse declares:
“He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know, That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe, May not henceforth die and perish in the dreadful gulf below, Evermore and evermore!”
Why do these disciples decide to follow Jesus? The same reason we desire to obey him – his presence as the Lamb preaches to our souls the compassion and kindness of God. You are loved with an everlasting love. Yes, the world is fallen – but God is making all things new!
There is a beautiful scene in C. S. Lewis’ book, Prince Caspian, when Caspian discovers that he is a human and a descendant of pirates – pirates who have mistreated and even murdered people. Caspian hangs his head and says, “I was wishing that I came of more honorable lineage.”
Aslan responds: “You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve, and that is both honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor. Be content.”
Shame and honor.
What shame – the damage our rebellion has done!
Yet honor – the victory the Lamb has won!
Jesus’ presence draws us to obedience as we see and sense the truth which Stuart Townend conveys so powerfully: “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss—the Father turns His face away, as wounds which mar the Chosen One, bring many sons to glory. I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom; but I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; but this I know with all my heart—His wounds have paid my ransom.”
Behold the Lamb of God. Come, follow him.
2. We Are Drawn to Obedience by God’s Kindness As Seen in the Call of Jesus (John 1.38-42)
Earlier John described the response Jesus received when here. John 1.10-12: “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God….”
God is born into his world but is rejected by his people. Given who Jesus is, surely we would expect all to recognize him and respond immediately.
On January 8th, 2007, two highly touted computer expos had their international conferences. At Macworld, Steve Jobs was the star; at the Consumer Electronics Show, Bill Gates. When those CEOs speak, a crowd gathers. Everyone is expected to know them and pay attention to their every word. One web site analyzed the speeches of both men and then compared those speeches for:
• Average number of words per sentence
• Lexical Density (how complex is the speech)
• Number of words with three or more syllables
• Gunning Fog Index (how many years of education one needs to understand the speech)
Reporters analyzed the talks on their own. Bill Gates did not ask anyone to pay attention to him. They were eager puppies, Labrador Retrievers hoping the stars would toss them a bone!
In our text, some of the people have an interest in Jesus. We do not deny that. Yet throughout his life, Jesus must call: “Come, follow me.” The point is simple: we do not naturally respond in faith to the presence of God. We must be exhorted, encouraged, pleaded with, moved in heart and soul to follow and obey. And is not God kind to do so?
We see this even in the job description of the church’s elders and deacons. The Bible astonishes us with the high honor given officers. They are shepherds under the great or chief shepherd. (Their work is like Jesus’ own ministry.) Yet they have little power.
Our denomination has a organizational manual called The Book of Church Order. The preface begins by reminding us that Jesus is the only King and Head of the church. The preface then describes the authority church officers have: “All church power, whether exercised by the body in general, or by representation, is only ministerial and declarative, since the Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and practice. No church judicatory may make laws to bind the conscience.” Ministerial and declarative – the only power I have is to plead with you to follow Jesus and to serve you as you seek to do so.
I know that was a long excursion, but I hope it helps you sense how kind and patient Jesus is when calling us to come and follow him. Jesus gave the church a job before he left. It is called the “Great Commission” and it is recorded in Matthew 28.19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The followers of Jesus are to obey God. That has not changed. And neither has his means to convince us – he draws out obedience by his kind and patient call through his word. Come, follow him.
3. We Are Drawn to Obedience by God’s Kindness As Seen in the Miracles of Jesus (John 1.43-51)
Over the next weeks, Lord willing, we will continue to study the miracles of Jesus and how they draw out faith and obedience. For today, please notice two simple points.
First, notice how words for “see” unite this section of Scripture. The word for “behold” means, literally, “see.” Philip says, “Come and see.” Jesus “saw” him under the fig tree. “You will see greater things than this.” Christian faith is not based on speculation or rumor or a blind leap of faith. It is based on eyewitnesses. And not simple from back then; even today, those who believe can see the work of God. In Revelation 3.18, Jesus counsels the church: “buy from me…salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” Those who follow Jesus still see greater things than even the miracles he performed while here.
Second, recognize that this was a true miracle. It is an interesting study to explore its meaning and significance, and maybe we can do that some day. But regardless of the details, the point is clear: Jesus has a divine knowledge into the very thoughts of Nathaniel and this miracle is proof of his right to call us to obedience.
Jesus rarely gets angry and demands obedience. But his miracles prove he has the power to do so. Rather than displaying power, however, his gracious miracles are acts of kindness drawing from us repentance, faith, obedience – calling us to come and follow Jesus.
4. Conclusion
Two weeks ago I attended a course in St. Louis. Our professor was a colleague of Francis Schaeffer, one of the wisest writers and most effective evangelists the church has ever known. In fact, Francis Schaeffer was used by God to bring the professor’s dad to Jesus and to help him become a follower.
Professor Barrs’ dad had been a committed Marxist all his life. Over the years, Barrs had been faithful to pray and witness to the wonders of Jesus, but his dad had always been uninterested. In his last few years, however, the love and patient service had begun to have an impact.
Then he developed colon cancer. Six weeks before he died, Francis Schaeffer was in England and asked if he could visit with Barrs’ dad. He did so and explained to him who Jesus is and why he should become a follower. After describing the wonderful kindness of God, Barrs’ dad said, “I have just one question: how can a worm like me accept such a gracious gift?” Schaeffer was stumped for a moment. Then he said, “How can a worm refuse?”
And there was great joy before the angels of God that day. Or did you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance?
