John 1:35-42 says...

Today's verses are found in John chapter 1 and numbering 35 through 42.  They read,

v.35, 36 - Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

We are onto the next day from the passage we looked at on Friday.  John the Baptist points out Jesus as the Lamb of God to two of his disciples.  On the first day John the Baptist testified of Jesus to the priest and Levities in verses 19 through 28.  On the second day John the Baptist testified of Jesus to the general crowd that had gathered to hear him preach and seek the baptism of repentance on the banks of the Jordan River in verses 29 through 34.  Now we have the third day and John the Baptist is now testifying of Jesus to those who have put themselves under the leadership of himself.  I see a progression here of speaking to those who were questioning this message; those who were curious to gather; and those who were committed to the message.

v.37-39 - The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?"  They said to Him, "Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?"  He said to them, "Come, and you will see."  So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

These two disciples of John the Baptist listen to what their teacher is telling them and apply it to their lives.  They follow after Jesus.  This type of following is characterized by Jesus' response of "Come, and you will see."  They are curious about Jesus.  They want to know how Jesus lives.  They won't get these answers unless they are in close proximity to Him.  Jesus grants their request and they apparently stay with Him for it was the 10th hour, or 4 p.m. in the afternoon and leading into the evening.

We offer the same invitation today to those who don't know Jesus Christ as their Savior.  We say to them, "Come, and you will see."  Maybe it is a coming to a Sunday service, Sunday School class, small group gathering, or men's or women's ministry event.  Maybe it is a coming to be with you, a Christian, a representative of Christ, to see how you live on a daily basis.  They won't get their answers unless they are in close proximity to you for a time.  Jesus invites these two, one who is Andrew and the other could be the Apostle John himself, the one recording these words of God, to come closer.  May we do the same today with those God brings into our path.

v.40-42 - One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.  He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ).  He brought him to Jesus.  Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

What does Andrew do with the message of Jesus?  Andrew shares it with his brother Simon.  He found him first.  He called Jesus the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One of God to come.  We are assuming that Andrew is the younger brother who is so exuberant and maybe his older brother is not taking what he is saying seriously.  Andrew brings Simon to Jesus.  Andrew does a Jesus' "come, and you will see" technique.  

Jesus looks at Simon with more than a glance.  It is a look into his soul and proclaims this changing of his name from Simon which means "he has heard" to Cephas in the Aramaic or Peter in the Greek which means "rock."  The one who hears is going to be the one who is associated with something with a permanent nature.  This must have peeked Simon's interest.  Who comes up to you and proclaims a name change on your first meeting?  We will see that this name change goes much deeper than just what Jesus might call him on occasion like good buds do with nicknames.  There was going to be a total transformation that was going to take place.

Those outside the flock of God come upon us Christians.  We call ourselves a new name based on Christ and His sacrifice, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming again.  Our name has been changed but it is so much more and that is what others need to come and see.  It is more than a name change but a soul change from darkness into His marvelous light.  Let's pray today for some opportunities to say as Jesus said, "Come, and you will see."  Let us pray.

"Heavenly Father, we see today Your first disciples taking steps toward You and Your response for them to come closer.  May we mimic You and offer the same invitation to those You bring around us.  Thank You for the faithful testimony of John the Baptist who kept pointing to You and may we do the same.  Amen."

Pastor Adam