The Story of Jesus - Calling the Disciples
Introduction
We have been studying the life of Christ – the Story Of Jesus. Henry Ward Beecher said, “If you wish to look at a portrait of Raphael’s, what would you think to see only the forehead uncovered, and then only the eyes, and so on, until all the features had been separately seen? Could you gain a true idea of the picture as a whole? Yet this is the way men look at the picture of Christ in the gospels, reading a few verses and mottoes here and there, and never considering the life in its wholeness and harmony.” (From The Biblical Illustrator)
By putting all the pieces of His life together in sequence, as we are trying to do in this series, our goal is to see Jesus in His wholeness and harmony. Thus far we have seen the events surrounding His birth. We have seen the baptism of Jesus, and we have seen His temptation. We looked further still at his return to Jordan from the wilderness of temptation to be introduced by John the Baptist here in John chapter 1.
Now Jesus begins to gather His disciples. They were not called His “disciples,” or students until John 2:2, nor were they called into full time service until Matthew 4:19 when Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” But here in John 1:35-51, He began selecting His team of disciples.
As children, we learned that picking who is “it” is a very serious part of any game. Various rhymes and rituals were used to pick who would be it, and one of the rhymes was:
One potato, two potato, three potato, four,
Five potato, six potato, seven potato, more.
I want to say a few things this morning about Jesus making disciples, and though there were five disciples selected in this passage, I want to use this title, “One Disciple, Two Disciples, Three Disciples, Four.”
I. Let’s Consider How The Lord Selects Disciples
A. There Is The Means Of The Preaching Ministry vs. 35-37
(John 1:37) And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
1. They Heard The Word
2. They Heeded The Word
followed – Greek 190. akoloutheo, means to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specifically as a disciple).
B. There Is The Means Of His Particular Ministry vs. 43-44
(John 1:43) The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
1. Notice The Particular Mission Of Finding
findeth – Greek 2147. heurisko, means to find. It is also translated “get, obtain, perceive, see.”
2. Notice The Particular Message Of Follow
follow – Greek 190. akoloutheo, means to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specifically as a disciple).
C. There Is The Means Of A Personal Ministry vs. 40-41, 45
1. Notice The First Finding
(John 1:41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
The name Andrew means “manly,” and if we want to be manly men, then we will find somebody and tell them about Jesus.
first – Greek 4413. protos, means foremost (in time, place, order or importance):--before, beginning.
J. W. McGarvey said, “Thus Andrew has in a sense the honor of being the first Christian evangelist.”
2. Notice The Further Finding
(John 1:45) 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.
findeth – Greek 2147. heurisko, means to find. It is also translated “get, obtain, perceive, see.”
Just as Jesus found Philip, Philip found Nathanael.
II. Let’s Consider What The Lord Sees In Disciples
Often, He sees us not as we are, but in light of what we can become in Him.
A. He Sees Seeking Hearts vs. 38-39
1. These Were Men Who Were Pursuing vs. 38 seek
seek – Greek 2212. zeteo, to seek; specifically (by Hebrews) to worship (God). It is also translated in the New Testament as “desire, endeavour, enquire.”
2. These Were Men Who Were Perceiving vs. 39 see
see- Greek 1492. eido, a primary verb meaning to see; or by implication to know. It is also translated as “be aware, behold, consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, understand.
B. He Sees Sharing Hearts vs. 40-41, 45
1. One Was Sharing Messianic Truth
(John 1:41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
2. One Was Sharing Mosaic Truth
(John 1:45) 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.
He sees people who can become evangelists, heralds of both Old Testament and New Testament. And regardless of where the text is found, they preach Jesus.
C. He Sees Sincere Hearts vs. 41-42, 45-49
(John 1:47) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
guile – Greek 1388. dolos, means to decoy; a trick (bait), wile or deception:--craft, deceit, subtilty.
Wile E. Coyote
Nathanael was not driven by guile, thus he was sincere.
1. There Is The Potential Of Simon’s Heart
(John 1:42) 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.
Cephas – Greek 2786. Kephas, means the Rock; Cephas, a surname of Peter. (Dwayne Johnson – the Rock)
2. There Is The Persuasion Of Nathanael’s Heart
(John 1:49) Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Psalm 2 and Isaiah 9:6 prophetically announce Jesus as the Son of God. These and other prophecies had just been more clearly announced by the Baptist (verse 34). It is clear, therefore, where Nathanael got his words; but it is not so clear how well he understood them. This is the first recorded uninspired confession of the divinity of Jesus.
(J. W. McGarvey)
(Psalms 2:6-7) Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. {7} I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
(Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
III. Let’s Consider What The Lord Shows Disciples
A. Disciples Can See His Dwelling Place vs. 38-39
(John 1:38-39) 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? {39} 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.
1. We See That He Abides Cf. John 2:12
As Herbert Buffum wrote…
I’m rejoicing night and day As I walk the narrow way,
For the hand of God in all my life I see.
And the reason of my bliss, Yes, the secret all is this:
That the Comforter abides with me.
He abides, He abides. Hallelujah, He abides with me!
2. We See That We Can Abide With Him
(John 1:39) 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.
(Psalms 91:1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
(Psalms 84:10) For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
B. Disciples Can See His Distinguished Person vs. 46
1. Notice The Skeptical Inquiry
(John 1:46) And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
good – Greek 18. agathos, a primary word; “good” (in any sense, often as noun). It is also translated as “benefit, good things, well.”
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says that this word “good” in John 1:46 means “excellent,” or “distinguished.”
It seems then that Nathanael is saying, “Can anything so distinguished as the Messiah come from a place so undistinguished as Nazareth?”
2. Notice The Simple Invitation
(John 1:46) And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
come – Greek 2064. erchomai, means to come or go (in a great variety of applications, lit. and fig.). It is also translated as “accompany, bring, come enter.”
see- Greek 1492. eido, a primary verb meaning to see; or by implication to know. It is also translated as “be aware, behold, consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, understand.
C. Disciples Can See His Divine Position vs. 51
see – Greek 3700. optanomai, means to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable
[Heaven open] This is a figurative expression, denoting “the conferring of favors.” (From Barnes’ Notes)
1. There Is A True Communication Here Verily, verily
2. There Is A Typological Communication Here
The key to this great saying is Jacob’s vision on his way to Padan-aram, (Gen 28:12, etc.) To show the patriarch that though alone and friendless on earth his interests were busying all heaven, he was made to see “heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon a” mystic “ladder reaching from heaven to earth.” ‘By and by,’ says Jesus here, ‘ye shall see this communication between heaven and earth thrown wide open, and the Son of Man to be the real Ladder of this conversation. (From Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
To the north of Scotland lies an island called Bressay. It is one of the Shetland Islands, and its shores are very rocky. On the south coast of Bressay is a slate-quarry. The workmen had to descend the cliff to it by means of a ladder. One evening, a violent and sudden storm drove the quarrymen from their work. The ladder was left fastened to the cliff. The night was very dark and stormy. A ship which was struggling with the waves was driven close to the island. Her crew beheld with terror the white foam of the breakers as they dashed against the rocks. They knew that, if their ship were stranded, they must be wrecked. Still the howling winds drove her forward. The waves dashed over her, filled the cabin with water, and drowned the wife of the captain. The sailors now climbed into the rigging. They were at the mercy of the furious wind and of the raging sea. They gave themselves up for lost. Many prayers and cries for deliverance were uttered. On came the ship, and struck against the shore. The poor seamen felt that death was almost certain. On the summit of the cliff was safety; but how could they reach it, who were helplessly dashed at its foot? But just as the ship struck near the rock, their terror was changed to joy. Close beside them, on the steep face of the cliff, was a ladder. It seemed as if placed there on purpose for them. In haste they sprang from the rigging, mounted the ladder, and reached the top of the cliff in safety. The vessel went to pieces so quickly that, by the next morning, hardly a trace of her was left. (From The Biblical Illustrator)
Conclusion
When Robert Moffat, Scottish missionary to South Africa, came back to recruit helpers in his homeland, he was greeted by the fury of a cold British winter. Arriving at the church where he was to speak he noted that only a small group had braved the elements to hear his appeal. What disturbed him even more was that there were only ladies in attendance that night, for he had chosen as his text Proverbs 8:4, “Unto you, O men, I call.”
In his consternation he almost failed to notice one small boy in the loft who had come to work the bellows of the organ. Dr. Moffat felt hopeless as he gave the message, realizing that few women could be expected to undergo the rigorous experiences they would face in the undeveloped jungles of the continent where he labored.
But God works in mysterious ways to carry out His wise purposes. Although no one volunteered, the young fellow assisting the organist was thrilled by the challenge. Deciding that he would follow in the footsteps of this pioneer missionary, he went on to school, obtained a degree in medicine, and then spent the rest of his life ministering to the unreached tribes of Africa. His name: David Livingstone!
—Our Daily Bread (Paul Lee Tan # 4376)