The First Disciples

Taken from the title of this segment of scripture, John 1:29-34, in the Word for Today Study Bible.

Again, the next day, John stood with two of His disciples.  And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

This is a repetition of what John said in John 1:29.  David Guzik’s commentary:

John already said this of Jesus in John 1:29. Did he say this every time he saw Jesus? It was a vivid reminder of Jesus’ destiny at the cross.

I think John was excited about this knowledge.  “There He is!  He’s the Chosen One of Israel!  Praise God, He’s working something new!”  Because John repeated this phrase, I wonder if perhaps he was suggesting that Andrew (and probably John the Apostle) follow after Jesus.  And that’s what they did:

The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” 

I love that Jesus’ first words in this Gospel are so gentle and appealing.  He wasn’t displeased with them, they weren’t bothering Him, but He welcomed relationship with them.  He welcomes relationship with all of us!

They said to Him, (“Rabbi” which is to say, when translated, Teacher) “where are you staying?”

As pick up lines go, these aren’t very impressive.  But Jesus understood.  He invites them to join Him.

He said to them, “Come and see.”  They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour.)

It must have made an impression on John for him to remember the exact moment he met Jesus.  It was about 4:00 in the afternoon.  Do you remember the moment you met Jesus?  How about the peace that filled your heart for the very first time?  The sense of relief when the burdens of your soul were rolled away?  I remember the day I asked Jesus to be my Savior, and then six years later when I finally allowed Him to be Lord.  He’s done a great deal of work in my life since then, and He is willing to work in yours, too.

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “we have found the Messiah,” (which is translated the Christ.)  And he brought him to Jesus.

Andrew is known for bringing people to Jesus.  He brought the boy with the loaves and fishes in John 6:8.  Now he’s bringing his brother, Peter to Jesus.

Whom have you brought to Jesus?  When was the last time you led someone to the Lord?  Do you share your testimony often?  I challenge you to write it down.  Find someone around you who would benefit from hearing your story and share it with them.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon, the son of Jonah.  You will be called Cephas” (which is translated a Stone.)

Jesus knew Peter intimately before He ever saw him physically.  Jesus knows you intimately as well.  He formed you (Psalm 139) and thinks of you often.  He thinks good thoughts of you, according to Jeremiah 29:11—

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

He changed Peter’s name, as He would change Peter’s life.  Peter goes from being called “pebble” to the moniker “Rock.” 

What would Jesus call you?  He promises that “to those that overcome…I will give him a white stone with a new name written, which no one knows except him that receives it” (Revelation 2:17.) 

I am so looking forward to that day, and hearing Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your Lord.”  I want to be the very best at serving Him as I can.  This means stretching past my comfort zone and including people in my circle that might not be “okay,” at least not yet.  God is at work in others around me, and He is using me to help in His work.  Are you His servant?

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for including me in your circle of friends.  I wasn’t ‘okay’ either, but you invited me to come and hang out with You.  Lord, help me to remember that.  Help me to offer others the grace You give me. 

So many times I ignore the little voice that whispers encouragement to talk to others about You, Lord.  Forgive me.  Help me to be a faithful servant, so that one day I might be invited to ‘come and see’ where you are staying.

Your Servant,

Donna