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.)
b. Jesus asked the basic question of life: “What seek ye?” He did not ask, Whom seek ye? but “What seek ye?” What are you after? Are you seeking …
• meaning, purpose, and significance in life?
• a religion of self-improvement and human development?
• rules and regulations and laws of righteousness?
• fellowship and companionship?
• deliverance from trials and trouble and suffering?
• approval and acceptance of God?
• blessings from God, His care and provision and security?
Note what Andrew and his friend asked: “Rabbi … where dwellest thou [pou meneis]?” They had never met Jesus before, yet they called Him Master or Teacher, acknowledging His position as their Teacher. They were not asking for a simple conversation by the side of the road. They were asking to join Him in the quiet of His home, to open and pour out their hearts to Him and for Him to become their teacher. They wanted Him to meet the crying need of their hearts and to do such in the quiet confines of His dwelling.
“That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us” (Ac. 17:27).
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (De. 4:29).
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Is. 55:6).
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Je. 29:13).
c. Jesus extended the invitation: “Come and see.” The invitation was immediate: it was while Andrew and his friend were attracted to Jesus. They were invited to Jesus while they sensed their need. Jesus did not postpone their request nor leave them hanging.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Is. 1:18).
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Is. 55:1).
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Re. 22:17).
3 (1:39–40) Decision: there was Andrew’s great decision. He “came and saw” and “remained” with Jesus. There are three significant facts here.
a. Andrew “came” to Jesus. He accepted the invitation. He walked up to Jesus and walked along with Him in order to see just where Jesus did dwell.
Thought 1. Note two critical points.
(1) Andrew had to accept the invitation.
(2) Andrew had to be willing to “see” where Jesus dwelt and to let Jesus lead him to His dwelling place.
“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Co. 6:2).
“But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation” (Ps. 69:13).
b. The word see (opsesthe) was a promise: “ye shall see.” Jesus was talking about much more than just seeing where He lived. He was talking about seeing the truth and learning of Him. Andrew was being assured, if he would come, that he would most definitely see and learn the truth of life. The Lord guaranteed it. (See note, See—Jn. 20:20.)
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Co. 4:6).
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Ep. 1:18–19).
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pe. 2:9–10).
c. Andrew and his friend “abode with him,” that is, by Jesus’ side, in His presence. They received of Him and He met their needs. Note a significant fact: this confrontation with Jesus changed their lives forever. This is seen in that the very hour is still remembered fifty or more years later (see DEEPER STUDY # 1—Jn. 1:39). Andrew and his friend committed their lives to Jesus.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (Jn. 1:12).
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro. 10:13).
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lu. 9:23).
DEEPER STUDY # 1
(1:39) John the Apostle—Confrontation—Conversion: Is the hour known by John the Apostle because he was the other unnamed disciple with Andrew? Apparently so. Note how significant the experience with Jesus was. John still remembered the hour some fifty years later (see Jn. 18:15; 20:3).
4 (1:41) Witnessing—Family: Andrew’s first concern was his brother Peter. The scene was striking. As quickly as he could after discovering Jesus for himself, Andrew rushed to find his own brother, Simon.
a. Andrew had met Jesus personally, and Jesus had met the crying need of his heart. Andrew could not contain the peace and joy; he just had to tell his loved ones immediately. He wanted them also to experience the love and joy and peace of Jesus.
b. Andrew was a great witness, a great personal worker for the Lord. He was always seen bringing someone to Jesus (see Jn. 6:8; 12:22).
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19).
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lu. 19:10).
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (Jn. 20:21).
“And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 22–23).
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Pr. 11:30).
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever” (Da. 12:3).
5 (1:41) Messiah—Witnessing: there was Andrew’s conviction, “We have found the Messiah.” (For the meaning of the word “Messiah,” see DEEPER STUDY # 2, Christ—Jn. 1:20.)
6 (1:42) Witnessing: Andrew’s fruit, Simon, was reached for Jesus and reaped. Andrew saw his brother Simon come to Jesus.
a. Note the word beheld (emblepsas). It means to look upon with an intense, earnest look, to concentrate, to stare and gaze upon. Jesus looked into the innermost being of Peter.
b. Note the words, “Thou shalt be called.” They refer to the future. Simon’s name would be changed to Cephas. This was a prediction that he would be converted and changed from a self-centered, defensive, overbearing, and carnal man into a strong, solid, immovable and unbreakable rock for God.
Thought 1. Note two significant facts.
(1) Jesus “beholds” a man: studies and knows him intimately. This is both a comfort and a warning, depending upon man’s response.
“[Jesus] needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (Jn. 2:25).
“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known” (Lu. 12:2).
“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD” (Je. 23:24).
(2) Jesus sees the potential within a man and longs to change that man to make him everything he can become.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Co. 5:17; see Ep. 4:24).
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ep. 2:1).
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Pe. 1:23).
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh” (Eze. 36:26).
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2004). The Gospel according to John
