The Gospel of John - part 3
“What are you looking for?”
It’s an interesting question. It could be when my son is digging in the fridge just leaving the door wide open. It’s the question every teenager is asked during their High School years—it’s just worded differently. “What are you looking for?” becomes “What do you want to do with your life?”, “What job do you want?”, “Are you going to have a family? How will you support them?”. It’s a question that follows us throughout life. For many people it’s never really answered, because they don’t know what they’re looking for. Some never even bother looking, they just take whatever floats in front of them.
Church, what are you looking for today? Why did you walk through those doors? Is it habit? Is it friendship? Regardless of the reason, I pray today you find Jesus. He may not be what you think you want, but He is what you need. It’s true today just like it was true about 2000 years ago when our story continues.
Turn with me to John 1, starting in verse 35.
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which 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. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which 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 means Peter).
John 1:35-42
John's two disciples: Andrew & "The Beloved Disciple" (John)
John the Baptist announces Jesus' return to the scene with "Behold, the Lamb of God!" Andrew and John understand their next steps because John has taught them well.
Two things stand out:
1) John the Baptist does not follow Jesus. His work is to prepare the way, which he continues to do so apart from Jesus' ministry. Again, his faithfulness and humility is to be commended. He knows the Messiah has come, but also knows his work is not to be with the Messiah--always ahead, preparing for His arrival.
2) The two disciples cut ties with their Rabbi in order to follow Jesus. "Follow" there can either be "physically following after" or "follow as a disciple", but here it is both. They recognize the Greater Rabbi has come, even if they do not fully understand the implications yet.
Andrew is the personal evangelist. Each time we see Andrew in this Gospel, he is bringing someone to Jesus.
John, we know from before, goes on to write this Gospel, as well as other books and becomes one of the pillars of the Jerusalem Church.
Look at verse 38:
Jesus asks them "What are you seeking?" It is a profound question with eternal consequences. Their answer is equally profound: "Where are you staying?" In other words, "We don't know what exactly we are looking for, but we know you have it."
Church, what are you seeking today? Where are you looking to find it?
Simon (Andrew's brother)
Andrew's first act as a disciple to tell his brother. There is a slight textual variant which complicates an already vague reference in verse 41. The debate is what is meant by "first". Although verse 39 says "they went and stayed" with Jesus, 41 may be interjecting Andrew's trip to get Simon. In other words, as Andrew went to stay with Jesus, he ran and got Simon on the way.
Notice the smallness of this great feat. Andrew did a small thing, he went and told his brother they found the Messiah. But look at the consequences of that action. Simon meets Jesus, Jesus looks at him, and Simon is renamed. Simon becomes Peter, the great evangelist to the Jewish nation.
Many scholars have debated what Jesus meant by renaming him "Peter". As you may know, 'Peter' comes from the Greek, petros which means 'rock'. Likewise, the Aramaic, "Cephas" also means rock, though the two have slightly different connotations. But, at any rate, the question is "How is Peter a 'rock'?" At first, he is a stubborn, brash rock that is difficult to break through. He is the first to speak in most of the stories, which means the first to show his ignorance. It takes multiple lessons for Peter to learn what Jesus is pointing him to. And yet, after the resurrection, Peter becomes the Rock that builds Christ's Church. It is Peter who preaches at Pentecost. It is Peter who is a pillar of the Jerusalem Church. It is Peter who gains such prominence that the Catholics call him the first pope.
Whichever way you see it, it reminds me of Gideon. Do you remember Gideon? He is the smallest brother of the smallest family of the smallest tribe of Israel, who at the time, is a harassed tribe of the Midianites. When the Angel of the LORD finds Gideon, Gideon is hiding from the invaders and everyone else. He is threshing wheat in a winepress. This weak man who will test the Lord's patience with a fleece, is greeted, "The LORD is with you, O might man of valor". Did you catch that? He is not a mighty man of valor at that time. But God sees him as he will be. Peter was not a rock when he first met Jesus--at least not the kind that we see him as now. But Jesus saw what he would be, and that makes all the difference.
Church, we are what we are, but we don't have to stay the way we are. We can be transformed into mighty warriors and stones in the Church of Christ. This same Peter would later write the letter 1 Peter in which he says,
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood". (1 Peter 2:4-5)
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
John 1:43-51
Philip
Philip is the unsung disciple. The Synoptics do not give any more information than his name, and John paints the picture of a man who is out of his element most of the time. Even here, Philip does not look for Jesus as the other disciples seem to be. Instead, Jesus resolves to find him. Where Peter's early faults are brashness, Philip is most probably the opposite error--a bit shy and reluctant to step out. And yet, Philip shows promise by finding Nathaniel and telling him about Jesus. After the resurrection, Philip will also become prominent as a leader in Samaria. In Acts we learn of Philip's ministry which has lasting consequences for two people groups. First, it is Philip who finds the Ethiopian reading from Isaiah. After the Ethiopian converts, he carries with him Christianity into the only "Christian nation" of Africa. Then, he is sent to Samaria where many convert there as well.
Philip is a reminder that God uses all kinds of people, even those who are shy or the least likely to step out in the spot light. Remember “the meek shall inherit the earth”, not the brash.
Nathanael
When Philip finds Nathanael, we are introduced to the comedian of the group. Philip tells Nathanael the Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth. Now, any right-minded person would answer as Peter or Andrew does. Instead, Nathanael is stuck on 'Nazareth'.
Keep in mind Nazareth is a backwoods area of Israel. It is not mentioned before the New Testament, and outside of the New Testament, the earliest evidence for the city occurs in the 2nd century. It isn't that Nazareth is an infamous town, it's an insignificant town. Being from Cana, it may be that Nathanael is also reflecting a regional rivalry. Like how some people talk about Mississippi.
But Nathanael follows, and his meeting with Jesus conjures several interesting tidbits.
First--Jesus announces Nathanael's coming with "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael has given us a hint of his character with his remark about Nazareth, now Jesus confirms it. Nathanael is the disciple who will speak bluntly. He may not have the same infamous reputation as Peter's outspokenness, but he's still not the guy whose opinion you ask, unless you really want it.
Second--Jesus says he saw Nathanael while Nathanael sat under the fig tree. The fig tree was a symbol of home (cf. Isa. 36:16; Mic. 4:4; Zech. 3:10) and its shade was a place for meditation and prayer. So when Jesus says he saw Nathanael under the fig tree, he is saying he saw Nathanael praying (whether at home or under a tree). Philip had alluded earlier that they were looking for the Messiah when he claimed to find him. Nathanael's response shows he cared about finding the Messiah, so naturally we can assume he had prayed over Israel and the coming King.
Third--Nathanael's piety is commended by Christ, both in Jesus seeing Philip under the tree, and in Nathanael's response to Christ. Nathanael believes and announces Jesus as the Son of God, the King of Israel. Christ says, somewhat humorously to match Nathanael, "you believe because I said I saw you? You'll see greater things than these."
The Unnamed Disciples
The last batch of disciples are those that are not named in John. The Synoptics all had lists of disciples so that we know the names of all twelve, but John does not provide such a list. Again, because John is not attempting an exhaustive history, but rather a theological history that aids the reading of the other three, it isn’t that big of a deal historically. However, theologically, I think it is very important. We tend to think of the disciples as historical giants, but how many of you can name all 12—without Google? In fact, if you were to look at each of the lists, you’ll notice that a few of the disciples go by a variety of names depending on what language the Gospel writer focused on—and depending on your translation. Their anonymity points us to the truth that God does not need famous people for His will to be done. In fact, I’m convinced the opposite is true. Paul says in 1 Thess 4:11-12,
“make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
1 Thess 4:11-12
A common theme among biographies of famous people, even famous preachers is the pitfall of pride that comes with fame. Surgeon has many quotable gems, the first is the problem:
“That demon of pride was born with us, and it will not die one hour before us”
The second is the solution:
“Let us measure ourselves by our Master…then pride will be impossible”
The other seven disciples did not achieve the notoriety of Peter, James, and John, but their ministries were no less effective nor important for the Kingdom of Heaven. Church, your ministry is no less important because fewer people know what you are doing. Christ taught us to pray in secret, to give in secret, and likewise we serve in secret. Sometimes we may achieve some fame or fortune, and we should count it as a blessing. But we should beware the curse that may come as well. “In all thing glorify God.” Whether in front of large crowds or alone with no one to encourage you, give glory to God in your service.
So what are you looking for today?
Each disciple found Jesus in their looking. But when they found Jesus, they received far more than they bargained. Look again at verse 51.
And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man
Church, do you believe? When we walk in faith behind Jesus, we will see great things. Heaven is open to us. That’s not just a comfort for dying, though it is a great comfort. It doesn’t mean Heaven is waiting for us, “the angels of God ascend and descend on the Son of Man”—meaning Heaven is interacting with us now. The Holy Spirit is working now on earth, transforming believers, convicting of sin, and guiding the faithful into the abundant life Jesus promised. Whatever you are looking for today, you can find it and greater things. Seek first the Kingdom and all these things—whatever earthly things you need—will be added to you.