THE CALL OF THE DISCIPLES

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Today we will study the call of the disciples and what we can learn from them. I remember when I first truly felt called by the Lord. It wasn’t a booming voice from the sky, but a quiet, persistent tug at my heart. It was a sense of knowing, deep down, that He had a purpose for my life, a plan that was far greater than anything I could imagine. That call led me on a journey of faith, a journey that continues to this day. And as I reflect on the call of the disciples in John 1:35-51, I’m reminded of the incredible privilege and responsibility that comes with following the Lord Jesus. Let’s delve then into John 1:35-51 which tells us how to be true disciples of Christ.

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” – John 1:35-37

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, pointed his disciples toward the Lord Jesus, declaring Him to be the “Lamb of God.” And those disciples, without hesitation, left John and followed the Lord. This simple act speaks volumes about the nature of true discipleship. It’s about recognizing our need for a Savior, acknowledging our own sinfulness, and placing our faith in the Lord Jesus, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

“Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?” – John 1:38

The first disciples of the Lord Jesus is no other than Andrew and John. They were originally the disciples of John the Baptist, but they followed the Lord after John pointed them to Him. The Lord Jesus’ first question to these new followers was, “What seek ye?” This is a question that resonates through the ages, challenging us to examine our own motives for following the Lord Jesus. Are we seeking healing, wealth, or social acceptance? Or are we seeking the Lord Himself, desiring to know Him intimately and follow Him wholeheartedly?

The John and Andrew’s response reveals their true desire: “Rabbi, where dwellest thou?” They wanted to be with the Lord Jesus, to learn from Him and experience His presence. This is the heart of true discipleship – a deep longing to be with the Lord, making Him our top priority, even above our own families and personal ambitions.

“He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.” – John 1:39

The Lord Jesus invites those seeking Him to “come and see,” offering them a glimpse into His life and ministry. This is an invitation He extends to each of us. He desires for us to come to Him, to experience His love and grace, and to discover the true meaning of life in His presence.

This encounter with the Lord Jesus was so impactful that John, one of the disciples, remembers the exact hour it occurred. Our first genuine encounter with the Lord is often a life-changing experience, a moment we cherish and remember for years to come.

“One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” – John 1:40-41

Andrew, after meeting the Lord Jesus, couldn’t contain his excitement. He immediately went to his brother, Simon, and declared, “We have found the Messias!” This is a natural response for those who have truly encountered the Lord. We can’t help but share the good news with others, inviting them to experience the same joy and transformation we have found.

“And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.” – John 1:42

Andrew didn’t just tell Simon about the Lord Jesus; he brought him to the Lord. This is a crucial aspect of discipleship. We are called to be bridge-builders, connecting others with our Savior. We don’t need to answer all their questions or win every argument we encounter. Our role is to simply point people to the Lord Jesus just like John the Baptist did and allow Him to do the rest.

“The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.” – John 1:43

While some, like Andrew and Simon, come to the Lord Jesus through the influence of others, others, like Philip, are found directly by the Lord Jesus. This reminds us that God is actively seeking those who are lost who are His. He pursues us with His love, drawing us to Himself.

“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” – John 1:45-46

Nathanael, initially skeptical, represents those who question and seek evidence. Philip, instead of arguing, simply invites him to “come and see.” This is a powerful approach in sharing our faith. It’s not about winning debates, but about introducing people to the Lord Jesus and allowing Him to reveal Himself to them.

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” – John 1:47

The Lord Jesus sees into Nathanael’s heart and recognizes his sincerity. This encounter highlights the importance of authenticity and transparency in our relationship with God.

“Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” – John 1:48

The Lord Jesus reveals His omniscience, demonstrating that He knew Nathanael even before Philip called him. This echoes God’s sovereign choice of His people, as described in Ephesians 1:4-5: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by The Lord Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

“Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” – John 1:49

Nathanael’s skepticism melts away as he recognizes the Lord Jesus as the Son of God, the promised Messiah. This instant revelation demonstrates that true faith is a gift from God. We can share the Gospel, but only God can open our hearts and minds for understanding.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” – John 1:50-51

The Lord Jesus promises His disciples that they will witness “greater things,” a glimpse of the glory and power of His kingdom. These ordinary men, fishermen and tax collectors, would be transformed by their encounter with the Lord Jesus and go on to do extraordinary things, changing the world with the message of the Gospel.

The call of the disciples in John 1 is an invitation to each one of us. It’s a call to follow the Lord Jesus wholeheartedly, to seek Him above all else, and to share His love with the world. It’s a call to be transformed by His grace and empowered by His Spirit to live lives that are extraordinary for His glory.

As we continue our journey of faith, let’s remember the example of these first disciples. Let’s cultivate a deep desire to be with The Lord Jesus, a passion for sharing the good news, and a willingness to be used by Him to bring others into His kingdom.