Bible Study - Relationships (5) - Share CHRIST - John 1:35-51 - July 2, 2017

Bible Study – Relationships (5) – Share CHRIST – July 2, 2017

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Real Relationships.”

Our focus scripture is John 1:35-49.

We have a responsibility to introduce friends to JESUS.

In our lesson, we have John who wrote the book of John and one of the twelve disciples of JESUS. John who wrote the book of John refers to himself in and oblique way, such as the disciple who JESUS loved. Then we have John the Baptist, a relative of JESUS and the fore runner or herald of the promised Messiah.

The Book of John was written after the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Matthew, Mark and Luke are descriptive; whereas the Book of John is reflective. I like to think of the book of John putting the gospel together after the fact but using the facts regarding JESUS as the promised Messiah.

The books of Matthew, Mark and Luke are synoptic gospels meaning bird’s eye views of certain aspects of the life and ministry of JESUS as they relate to followers of JESUS. The book of John focuses on the need for every person to believe that JESUS is the promised Messiah as recorded in John 20:30-31:
 

The Purpose of This Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book.

31 But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.

Those who know the truth, Christians, introduce friends and loved ones to JESUS. A Christian’s part is to introduce and live as a Christian before all. The new Christian’s part, once introduced to JESUS, is to learn of HIM as he or she gets to know HIM by abiding with HIM. Abiding means to stay connected to JESUS as JESUS reveals in the most beautiful teaching reflected in John Chapter 15.

John the Baptizer was the forerunner or herald of JESUS, the promised Messiah. GOD called John for that purpose which was foretold in the Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5.

John the Baptist (or baptizer) is a different John than John, who was one of the twelve disciples of JESUS. John the Baptist was the son of Elizabeth and the priest, Zechariah as recorded in Luke Chapter 1, which is worth reading.

Let’s read John 1:35-39:

35 Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples.

This was John the Baptist and the forerunner or herald to announce that JESUS was and is the promised Messiah. John the Baptist had disciples. The message of John the Baptist from GOD was repentance.  

36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look! The Lamb of God!"

When John the Baptist saw JESUS passing by he identified HIM as “The Lamb of GOD!” The Jews knew the connection between the sacrificial lamb and the forgiveness of sin. They knew that the sacrificial lamb had to be a lamb without blemish. JESUS was and is the perfect Lamb of GOD destined to take away the sins of all who place their faith in HIM and HIS shed blood.

37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.

When two of John the Baptist disciple’s heard this, they immediately followed JESUS. When we hear the truth and know the truth, that is our opportunity to embrace the truth. These two disciples responded immediately. We are to do the same.

To be a disciple means that a person follows someone they look up to, respect and desire to learn from. A disciple went where their teacher went. They slept where their teacher slept and ate what their teacher ate. In essence, they did everything with their teacher to get to know their teacher and emulate him or her.

When we accept JESUS as our Savior, we have a choice. Do we allow HIM to be the LORD of our lives? When we do, our desire is to get to know HIM and all about HIM. That means spending time with HIM and emulating HIM as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  

38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are You staying?"

JESUS turned and noticed them following HIM. That was a queue to JESUS that their desire was to be HIS disciple. So HE asked them the question “What are you looking for?” When they addressed HIM as “Teacher/Rabbi” that revealed their interest in becoming HIS disciple. This interest in becoming disciples was quickly confirmed when they asked JESUS “Where are YOU staying?” As discussed in the previous verse.

Each Christian needs to respond to the question JESUS asked, “What are you looking for?” Our response, as a Christian, determines our journey with JESUS. Do we look to HIM for a handout or a hand-up? Do we look to HIM for a life of ease? Do we desire to get to know HIM in an intimate, loving, trusting way as we abide with HIM?

39 "Come and you'll see," He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning.

JESUS invited them to come and see. JESUS invites all to come and see. Some will choose to stay and some will go their own way. What is your desire?

Let’s read John 1:40-45:

40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Him.

41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah!" (which means "Anointed One"),

In these two verses, we learn the identity of JESUS’ first two disciples.

It is Andrew, who identifies JESUS as the Messiah.

42 and he brought [Simon] to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He said, "You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which means "Rock").

Andrew introduced his brother, Simon, to JESUS. Immediately JESUS gave Simon the new name of “Cephas” or rock.

JESUS immediately knew the role “Cephas/Peter” would play in establishing GOD’S Kingdom upon earth. What would Peter’s name change mean to him when he denied JESUS three times? Did these words boom in his mind after his denial? Did he think some rock I am? Or did the Holy Spirit bring this instant to Peter’s mind and give him hope? We are all sinners saved by GOD’S grace. Peter repented and after he was filled with the Holy Spirit he preached at Pentecost where initially 3,000 souls placed their faith in JESUS as their Savior.   

Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day He decided to leave for Galilee. Jesus found Philip and told him, "Follow Me!"

JESUS’ next disciple was Philip. Notice that JESUS simply said, “Follow ME!” That is JESUS’ Message to each of us today “Follow ME!” To respond is to trust in the leadership of JESUS.

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter.

Philip and the other two disciples had something in common they were from the same hometown.

45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth!"

Phillip found the fourth disciple “Nathanael.” It is interesting how Nathanael reacted to JESUS’ hometown being Nazareth.

Let’s read John 1:46-51:

46 "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Nathanael asked him. "Come and see," Philip answered.

Philip simply told Nathanael to “Come and see.” That is the message of salvation, “Come and see.” Salvation is personal. We cannot ride to heaven on our mother’s, father’s, grandmother’s, grandfathers, best friend’s, etc. salvation. Each person must make that decision. GOD does not have grandchildren. HE has children. They are direct descendants through the miracle of rebirth.   

47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said about him, "Here is a true Israelite; no deceit is in him."

JESUS identified Nathanael as a true seeker of truth.

48 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you," Jesus answered.

The fig tree was often considered a place where serious thought was given to life and what lies beyond life upon earth. It was a place of contemplation and reflection associated with the study of scripture and seeking truth.

49 "Rabbi," Nathanael replied, "You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

When JESUS spoke these words they resonated with him. Nathanael knew that he had come into the presence of a special teacher and he addressed him as “Rabbi.” But he went further than Rabbi; he also connected JESUS with being the “Son of GOD” and the “King of Israel.”

50 Jesus responded to him, "Do you believe [only] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this."

51 Then He said, "I assure you: You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

The words of JESUS in verse 51, likely relate back to Jacob’s vision as recorded in Genesis 28, where Jacob received revelation from GOD. Jacob saw the heavens open and the angels descending and ascending as recorded in Genesis 28:10-17:

Jacob at Bethel

10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran.

11 He reached a certain place and spent the night there because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from the place, put it there at his head, and lay down in that place.

12 And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground with its top reaching heaven, and God's angels were going up and down on it.

13 The Lord was standing there beside him, saying, "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land that you are now sleeping on.

14 Your offspring will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out toward the west, the east, the north, and the south. All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

15 Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it."

17 He was afraid and said, "What an awesome place this is! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven."

JESUS stated that Nathanael would know that JESUS was the promised Messiah and that HE was the gate of heaven through faith in HIM.

When we discover the truth of JESUS, we want to share it. 

We see this pattern in the lives of these disciples when they met JESUS. They knew HE was different but they had to walk with HIM to get to really know HIM and to put it all into perspective according to the scriptures and the life, death, resurrection, ascension of JESUS as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

That is true for each of us. It is the process of sanctification. We must abide with HIM and learn of HIM. We are to share JESUS with others. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We are to reflect JESUS in the lives we live each day. We are to reach out as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Share JESUS! Blessings!!!