The First Disciples

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 1:35-51

 

Matthew 28:19-20

Go ^[a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ^[b]Amen.

(NKJV)

 

As we see the course of events in our world and compare that with Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:3-25:46), we know the time of Jesus’ coming to take His bride, the Church home to be with Him is near. While Scripture cautions us not to attempt to put a date on the return of Christ for only the Father knows the date (Matthew 24:36), Jesus does set the tone of the world before His return (Matthew 24:4-14), letting us know the time is near. This should give believers a sense of urgency regarding the lost in their families, among their friends, and in the world in general. Jesus’ calling of his first disciples illustrates the ways people come to believe in Jesus as their Savior and how our lost friends and family may come to know Jesus as their Savior.

 

This text begins with John the Baptist standing with two of his disciples and seeing Jesus walk by, declaring Him as the Lamb of God (John 1:35-36). The two disciples heard John’s declaration and followed Jesus with Jesus seeing them following Him and asking what they seek to which they ask Jesus where He is staying (John 1:37-38). Jesus tells them to come with Him and see and they remained with Him that day (John 1:39).

 

One of the two disciples following Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother (John 1:40). Andrew then finds his brother Simon and tells him he has found the Messiah (John 1:41). Andrew takes Simon Peter to Jesus and when Jesus sees him, He tells him he is Simon son of Jonah but will now be called Cephas (translated as a stone) (John 1:42).

 

The next day Jesus goes to Galilee, finds Philip, and asks him to follow Him (John 1:43). Philip was from the same city as Andrew and Peter and finds Nathanael, telling him he has found the one spoken of by Moses in the law and the prophets, Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph (John 1:44-45). Nathanael’s response is “Can anything good come out of Nazareth” to which Philip invites him to come and see (John 1:46). When Jesus sees Nathanael approaching, he says, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” (John 1:47). Nathanael asks Jesus how he knows him, and Jesus lets him know that before Philip called him, when he was under the fig tree, Jesus saw him (John 1:48). Based on this knowledge not based on Jesus and Nathanael having met, Nathanael knows Jesus is the Son of God and King of Israel (John 1:49). Jesus lets Nathanael know that he will see even greater things including the heavens opening up and the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man (John 1:50-51).

 

Jesus calls Andrew, Peter, Nathaniel, and Philip with each deciding to follow Jesus but each does so differently illustrating the different ways people come to realize who Jesus is. Andrew came to his belief in Jesus as Messiah based on the preaching of the Word by John the Baptist who points out Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:35). Peter’s belief came when his brother Andrew told him he had found Messiah and took Peter to Jesus with Peter believing when he meets Jesus (John 1:40-42). Jesus finds Philip and tells him to follow Him which he does without hesitation (John 1:43). Philip finds Nathanael and like Andrew, tells Nathanael he has found Messiah, but Nathanael is skeptical, not believing anything good could come from Nazareth (John 1:45-46). It is not until Jesus comes toward Nathanael and tells him he is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit that Nathanael believes because he and Jesus had never met (John 1:47-49). All these men came to the belief in Jesus as their Messiah but differently.

 

Jesus is the only way to reconciliation with God with this reconciliation only occurring when one decides to follow Jesus. This requires one expressing their belief in Jesus’ death burial and resurrection. However, people can come to this realization differently.

 

• The preaching of the Word (Andrew) – Some are like Andrew, and only need to hear the presentation of the Gospel through the Word of God to believe. Some of our lost friends or loved ones may be Andrews only needing us to invite them to Church where they hear the Word preached and come to believe.
• Witness of a family member (Peter) – We may have people like Peter in our families who need to hear our testimony of what Jesus has done for us to come to a belief in Jesus as their Savior.
• Encounter with the Savior (Philip) – Our lost friends and loved ones may be like Philip needing an encounter with Jesus through someone following Christ. Someone who does not believe in Jesus as his or her Messiah may encounter a friend, co-worker, or family member who has peace in a chaotic situation and come to a belief in Jesus after finding out the source of their peace.
• Powerful testimony of a friend (Nathanael) – Our testimony of how Jesus transformed our lives is powerful, even if it seems mundane to us. This is because God may place others in our path who are experiencing the same challenges we did and need to hear how Jesus transformed our lives. Do not fear sharing your testimony to the Nathanael’s God places in your life.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.