John 1, Part 5

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Observation: Jesus begins to gather His first disciples. Two men who were with John the Baptist hear John refer to Jesus as "the Lamb of God." They follow Jesus, even though Jesus seems to put them off. "What are you looking for?" He asks them, but they want to know where He is staying and go with Him. We don't know what Jesus said to them, but it was so powerful that one of the men, Andrew, goes and gets his brother Simon and tells him, "We have found the Messiah." Simon goes to see for himself and Jesus changes his name to Peter, indicating changes in his life. Next Jesus finds Philip and calls him. Philip goes to find Nathanael. Nathanael asks if it is possible that something good could come out of Nazareth, but once he meets Jesus and hears Him as He describes Nathanael outwardly and inwardly, he too is convinced this is the one Moses and the prophets spoke of. He acknowledges Jesus as King of Israel and Son of God, rightly so. But Jesus promises there is more than what their eyes currently see, for they will see the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

Application: These first disciples came to Jesus in humility, to see and hear who He was, and accepted Him as the Son of God, the King of Israel. We don't see Jesus the way these disciples did, but then again, we don't have to. Heavenly visions are still possible, but we can see God without these visions, by studying His Word and seeking an intimate relationship with Him.

Prayer: Father, we have a privilege the ancient Jews didn't have. We can come to You in the name of Jesus and be received as Your children. I want to be like Nathanael, willing to come and see, and accepting as he was of the truth before him. I want to be like Peter, who accepted the changes that were to come into his life. I want to be a true disciple, as these men were, willing to leave everything to follow my Savior. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.