11.09.07
The Authentication of the King: The Acceptance of His Person - The Belief by the First Disciples (John 1:35-51)
The Authentication of the King: The Acceptance of His Person
The Belief by the First Disciples (John 1:35-51)
John had publicly fingered the Messiah just the day before (called Him out by name). The next day John repeats his identification in the presence of 2 of his disciples. What was the result? John lost 2 disciples!
So, when Jesus notices 2 new followers, He asks a question. What do you want? Note the respectful way these 2 new followers address Christ. Rabbi. It was the highest title of respect given by the Jews to those who were prepared to interpret the law to them. These guys wanted to put themselves under the tutelage of this Messiah. So they ask where Jesus is staying. The implication was one of more than wanting to be shown some level of hospitality for some short period of time. And, the answer may have been more than they expected. Jesus said to come on!
One of these guys was named Andrew, and he was the brother of Simon Peter. We don’t have the identity of the 2nd one written down, but if we had to guess here, and I was a gambling man, my money would be on the author of the book – John. He often spoke of himself without using his name, but by some phrase like ‘the other disciple’.
They spent all day with Jesus. Andrew was convinced that John was right, this was the Messiah. What does he do? Find his brother Simon and tell him! Simon wants to see for himself, follows Andrew to Jesus. Without introduction (showing His omniscience), Jesus says You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas. The name Simon means ‘a hearer’ or ‘one quick to hear’. The Aramaic name Cephas and the Greek name Peter mean ‘rock’ or ‘a hiding place’. Knowing what you and I know about Peter, he was quick to hear, but he didn’t always respond correctly with the information he had just heard. He would, however, become a rock, stable and unmovable. So the 2 original disciples were convinced they were in the presence of the Messiah and began to testify to others of this fact.
The next day Jesus heads out to from Judea towards Galilee. The first person Jesus meets here is Philip, and He speaks 2 words to him “Follow me”. There was no hesitation. And it didn’t take long to utterly convince Philip this was the real deal. Philip goes and finds Nathanael and tells him. And the response was interesting! 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. Philip sounded like he was from Missouri (the show me state). But what Nathanael said revealed the popular attitude towards those who dwelt in that town. And what we need to get out of this is that Christ’s authority was not based in a particular town, and today it isn’t based in a particular denomination, locality, or church facility!
So, Nathanael follows Philip. Christ knew the conflict going on internally. Christ addresses him as if He knew him intimately. Nathanael didn’t ask for this authentication, this sign…it was a bit freaky. But it was all that Nathanael needed to know Christ was the real deal. Nathanael confessed that Jesus was the Messiah. How could he not say that? Jesus was omniscient (knowing all things)! Jesus lets him know that he will also know He is omnipotent (having unlimited power) as well! 51 He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Christ is referring to Jacob’s experience.
During his flight from the wrath of Esau, Jacob was given the revelation of a stairway set up on earth whose top reached to heaven on which the angels of God were ascending and descending (Genesis 28:12). This tied in to the reaffirmation of the covenant with Abraham.
Genesis 28:13-14 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. NIV
With this going on, Christ seems to be saying that He is that One and had come to bless Abraham’s seed by providing salvation from sin and deliverance from their oppressors in verse 51.
So Jesus was awaiting the same response from the nation of Israel that He initially received. Confessing faith in His person, work and office. He was going to try and persuade the nation that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior who was here to redeem.
Well…that’s 5 disciples. What a start! Over 2000 years ago, and looking around the room this is still bearing fruit…so, how did Jesus call you? Did you obediently follow (no questions asked)? Well, let’s skip the ‘that was then’ questions…what about now? Are you obediently following?
Personal note here – I highly recommend the book Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur for further study on the selection / character of the disciples.
