John 1:35–42 - 35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 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?” 39 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. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 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 today’s passage say?
In today's passage, we see two of John the Baptist’s disciples encountering Jesus and, with John’s encouragement, they begin following Him (vv. 35-37). When Jesus asks them what they are looking for, they want to know where He is staying. He simply invites them to come and stay with Him (vv. 38-39). One of those disciples, Andrew, excitedly goes and tells his brother Simon that he has found the Christ. When Simon meets Jesus, Jesus already knows him and gives him the Peter / Cephas – meaning the rock (vv. 40-42).
How can I apply John 1:35-42 to my life?
When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He called ordinary people to follow Him and experience life transformation. Though the disciples who left everything to be with Jesus made a daring choice, they came to understand it as the wisest and most rewarding decision they ever made. Still today, responding wholeheartedly to Jesus’ invitation leads into blessing and purpose beyond our wildest dreams. As we read this account today, we discover timeless principles regarding what it looks like to truly follow Christ. We will explore how submitting fully to Jesus’ Lordship over every area of life brings meaning and joy. We will see how affectionately pursuing friendship with Christ leads to life-altering revelation about His nature and ways. And we will be challenged to shine the light of Christ unashamedly through deed and word, participating in the mission of reaching a lost world with redeeming grace. Though following Jesus demands our all, the reward is intimacy with God Himself through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the fulfillment of knowing our short years on earth impacted eternity. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Respond to Jesus’ Invitation to Follow Him (vv. 35-37): John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the Christ. Though he had his own devoted disciples, he knew that Jesus was infinitely greater and deserved their utmost allegiance. So, when he declared "Behold, the Lamb of God!" his disciples had a critical choice to make - would they continue following John, or leave the familiar to follow Jesus instead? By God's grace, they chose the latter - forsaking their former way of life to embrace Jesus' leadership. Making that decision required humility and courage, as submitting oneself to the Lordship of Christ is a costly matter. Yet they understood that committing fully to follow Christ would lead them into blessings that far surpass any sacrifice. Just as those early followers of Jesus turned their lives over to His direction, so Christ invites each of us into a relationship of wholehearted devotion. When we receive Jesus as Savior, our journey has only begun. Day by day, Jesus calls us to yield every aspect of our lives to Him - our dreams, plans, resources, relationships, and even our very identities. Jesus asks us to trust Him enough to give up anything keeping us from living in step with Him. Though following Jesus demands our all, it brings meaning, purpose, and joy beyond imagination. As we continually offer more of ourselves to Christ each day, we will experience the unspeakable blessing found only in pursuing intimacy with God (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 9:23).
Food for thought: What areas of my life might Jesus be calling me to submit to His leadership more fully? What blessings might I miss out on if I don't wholeheartedly follow wherever Jesus leads?
2. Seek to Know Jesus Personally (vv. 38-39): When the two disciples heard John identify Jesus as the Lamb of God, they followed Him, desiring a first-hand encounter. Jesus welcomed their pursuit, inviting them to come, see, and experience who He was. As they spent the day conversing with Christ, He revealed truths about Himself that transformed their understanding. No longer did they view Jesus based merely on others' reports - now they knew Him intimately for themselves. Just as those early disciples sought genuine relationship with Jesus, Christ invites each of us into personal friendship with Him. Through studying Scripture, we behold Christ and His teachings. Through prayer, we speak to Him as a trusted confidant sharing our innermost thoughts. Through worship, we meet His manifest presence, encountering divine love. And through community with fellow believers, we see His character fleshed out through human vessels. As we devote time to know Jesus, we gain life-altering revelation of His goodness, faithfulness and power. Encountering Christ fuels our love and stirs hunger for greater depth of fellowship. The Christian life Christ intends goes far beyond religion, rules or ritual - it is friendship and union with Himself. He has torn the veil that once separated humanity from intimate knowledge of God. Now, through the Holy Spirit living within every believer, we have opportunity to know Jesus in greater fullness every moment (Exodus 33:11; Jeremiah 9:23-24; John 17:3).
Food for thought: What areas of my relationship with Jesus would I like to go deeper in? What practical steps can I take to devote more focused time to knowing Christ each day?
3. Share the Good News of Jesus with Others (vv. 40-42): After recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, Andrew raced to tell his brother the phenomenal news. Simon's life took an extraordinary turn when Andrew connected them - Jesus gave Simon the profound name Cephas ("Peter"), symbolizing destiny as the rock of the early church. Like Andrew, when we have an awakening to who Jesus truly is, sharing with others becomes an irrepressible desire. As recipients of God's magnificent grace, we cannot stay silent but are compelled to guide lost friends and relatives to salvation. Jesus commands His followers not merely to absorb truth but to spread the message regarding His redemption's reality far and wide. Though we may initially hesitate when opportunities to share Christ arise, fear diminishes as we step out in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. While sensitivity and wisdom must guide the manner we impart gospel truth, we remember that only His transforming grace can soften hearts or dispel spiritual blindness. Shining the light happens not only through words but also deeds reflecting Christ's character. Our own spiritual vitality escalates each time we point others toward encountering the Savior. When we invest in relationships with intentionality for Christ, divine appointments to share His love miraculously unfold. As we embrace our calling as the light of the world, the dominion of darkness diminishes, and the kingdom of God multiplies (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:42; 2 Timothy 1:8).
Food for Thought: What insecurities or worries about rejection prevent me from sharing Christ more freely? How can I allow the Holy Spirit to empower me past these obstacles when opportunities arise? Who is one person in my sphere of influence I can build deeper relationship with, praying for the chance to sensitively tell them about my journey of faith?
Truly following Jesus transforms every part of our lives with blessing and purpose. When we respond wholeheartedly to Christ’s invitation to follow Him, we discover the joy of walking in intimacy with God. When we devote focused time to knowing Jesus personally through Scripture, prayer and community, we gain life-changing revelation of His loving ways and faithful nature. And when we let His light shine brightly through us to others around us, we participate in the glorious plan to redeem all mankind. Just as those first ordinary disciples left everything to follow Jesus, may we lay down any hindrance to living all out for Christ. Though sacrifice is required, the reward is unspeakable - abundant life now and for eternity.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would give me the strength and courage to respond wholeheartedly to Jesus' invitation to follow Him. I know that submitting fully to Christ's Lordship requires difficult sacrifices, but I pray You enable me to trust that drawing close to You brings blessings that far outweigh any temporary troubles. Help me to nurture my relationship with Jesus through consistent time studying Scripture, in prayer, in worship, in service, and in fellowshipping with other believers. As I devote myself to truly knowing Christ, develop in me greater revelation of His nature, faithfulness and love. I also pray that You would build in me an irrepressible desire to share with others the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus. Empower me by the Holy Spirit to let my light shine for Christ without fear of rejection or awkwardness.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
John 1:39 - 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.
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
Commentaires