The Call of the First Disciples (Part 3)

1. The First Three (John 1:35–42)

“The next day after John stood, and two of his disciples” (John 1:35).

     The first three (John, Andrew, Peter) began as two then became three. The word “after” is not in the Greek text but was added by the translators. Its insertion here is confusing.
     The communications from John. “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:36). This is the second time John the Baptist has used this term in reference to Christ. The other time was recorded in John 1:29 to which was added “taketh away the sins of the world.” Here John is simply pointing out the Lamb to Andrew and John (John the Apostle does not name himself—a habit of his in his writings—see John 13:23, 19:26, 19:35, 20:2, 21:7, 20, 24). We note two significant details from this communication.

• First, the importance of Christ. “Behold.” As we noted the first time John used this phrase, “Behold” means something important. No one is more important than Jesus Christ. He needs to be number One in our lives if our lives are going to amount to anything where it counts the most.
• Second, the identity of Christ. “Lamb of God.” This is one of the great designations of Christ throughout the Bible. The book of Revelation closes the Bible by speaking some twenty-seven times of Christ as the Lamb.

     The conversions of Andrew and John. “The two disciples [Andrew and John] heard him speak, and followed Jesus” (John 1:37). John the Baptist experienced the results every preacher likes to experience, namely, after we preach, people follow Jesus.
     The communion with Christ. The following of Christ resulted in communion with Christ. First, the test for the communion. “What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi … where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt” (John 1:38, 39). These two disciples wanted to be with Jesus. But Christ tested their desire by “Come and see.” They passed the test in their “Came and saw.” “Came” is faith. “See” is the result of faith. The world wants to see before it believes. Christianity says believe then you will see. Furthermore, many complain they do not experience the “saw” of Divine blessings. The reason is that they never “came.” “Came” involves devotion, dedication, and sacrifice. Second, the teaching in the communion. “Abode with him that day” (John 1:39). Knowing what other Scripture says about the habit of Christ to teach in every possible situation it is easy and justifiable to conclude that the time in which the two disciples abode with Christ was filled with some of the finest teaching a man could have. They certainly did not sit around and watch some stupid TV show during their time with Christ. When you are with Christ, you will learn from Him.
     The concern after the conversion. The time with Christ caused one of the disciples to be concerned about his brother.

• First, the seeking of Peter. “One of the two … was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon” (John 1:40, 41). Evangelism starts at home.
• Second, the informing of Peter. “We have found the Messias … Christ” (John 1:41). Andrew informed Peter about Christ. He was the looked-for Messiah. There would have been no use seeking Peter if Andrew did not have a message. Churches need to get back to emphasizing the message, and the message needs to be about Jesus.
• Third, the bringing of Peter. “He brought him to Jesus” (John 1:42). No other person could help Peter like Jesus Christ.

     The change after the conversion. “Thou art … thou shalt be …” (John 1:42). When Peter came to Christ, a change occurred. When anyone is genuinely saved a change occurs. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). The change in Peter’s case was symbolized in the change of names. Christ changed Peter’s name. Christ is the source of change in conversion. From “Simon, the son of Jona” to “Cephas” (Cephas is Aramic for Petros which is Greek for Peter which is English). The name means stone.

Continued on Part 4