The First Followers | Sermon 10/02/2022

John 1:35-51

This is where the ministry transition is fully realized. John the Baptist and his disciples become disciples of Jesus. John spoke the truth to his disciples and they heard that Jesus is the Lamb of God so they followed Him, giving the prototype for evangelistic interaction with speak, heard, followed. They call Jesus ‘Rabbi’, demonstrating they have new Master now. Andrew is one of John’s disciples that turned to follow Jesus. And although he is named by his association with his brother Peter, every time he is mentioned in the gospel account, he is leading someone to Jesus. That is what we should be known for. Andrew tells his brother Simon that they have found the Messiah, the long-awaited One.

Jesus looks intently at Simon and just like He’s known him forever and will make him into something new, Jesus renames him Cephas in Aramaic or Peter in the Greek. Jesus will make him into a solid rock that will stand firm for the early church. Philip hears the command from Jesus to follow Him and he does. Throughout this gospel, Philip makes several mistakes showing us although these were amazing men, some were very ordinary. Just like the rest, who keep evangelizing, Philip goes to Nathanael and tells him “we have the One in whom all of Scripture speaks and points to.” The One Moses and the Prophets foretell. Nathanael shows his skepticism as when he learns this possible Messiah is from Nazareth, he doubts. Nazareth was not a city of good reputation among the Jews and remained that way even after Jesus’ ascension. This just shows the humility of Christ to live in a place that was despised.

Jesus calls out Nathanael as an Israelite that truly seeks after God and how before He called him, He saw Nathanael under the fig tree. And this knowledge was supernatural enough to convince Nathanael that this was the very Son of God and King of Israel. Two titles he freely gave but wouldn’t understand how Jesus completely fulfils them until after Christ’s exaltation. But Jesus then addresses all of them and tells them they will see greater things. He alludes to Jacob’s ladder in Genesis 28. The heavens will open and upon the Son of Man they will see divine things take place. He will show them the things of God. He, Himself, will be the ladder to heaven.