16.11.08 John 1:35-51 (NASB)
Audio Sermon File: John 1:35-51
Going Deeper: Study Guide
Follow Me
Our Passage today reads as follows: 35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?" 39 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. 40 One of the two who heard John [speak] and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter). 43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He ^ound Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow Me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 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." 46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." 50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 51 And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
We discover that in two days Jesus calls to Himself the first disciples and Apostles. Likewise when we apply this we find that we are also disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus has saved us and calls us to ‘Follow Him.’ And our text will lead us into reflecting at how well we are ‘Following Him.’
Jesus says to us today ‘FOLLOW ME’ - through the calling of :
1. Jesus’ First Disciples (Andrew and Peter - John) v.35-42 - and then
2. Jesus Draws More Disciples (Philip and Nathanael) v.43-51
Through the response of these disciples we are able to learn some important lessons for us as Jesus’ modern day disciples.
First - let us look at the call of Andrew and Peter (John)
1. Lessons from Jesus’ First Disciples v.35-42
V.35-36. As we begin this section, we once again find John the Baptist giving testimony as a witness for the third time. The focus now begins to shift from John the Baptist’s ministry to Jesus’ ministry. During the ministry of the Baptist he developed not only a following of the masses, but he also had his own disciples.
All this was the next day, after John the Baptist pointed out the Lamb of God. So we are in the third day since verse 19. John the Baptist in verse 35 has two of his disciples with him, and as he sees the Messiah as He walked, he willing directs his disciples to Christ. John sees the Messiah and announces ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ This is the third and last time, as far as we know from Scripture that John saw Christ (first at baptism, v.29, and here). Once again John the Baptist demonstrates his humility and faithfulness to his calling - instead building his own empire, he willingly turns his disciples over to Christ.
What would you do if you were in this kind of situation? A situation where you know that you will lose some people - maybe in a project work group - how about even in a ministry? A situation where you have your own friends/people that were of a great help to you? It is natural that if we were in this situation, it would be very probable that we would want to retain our co-workers for ourselves. We would want to make a name for ourselves, we would want to associate our name with what we built. We see this happening all around us. People have named rooms, buildings, streets, after themselves so that they would be remembered. We see this happening in many churches…we belong to the James Smith Memorial Church, this is the Franklin Rogers Library, these pews are donated in loving memory of Rachel Rowstead. If we are to follow the example of John the Baptist then we would remember that, true Christian humility calls for Christ to be exalted and not ourselves.
John the Baptist, announced the coming of the Messiah, he baptized Him, had told people about Jesus, and now once again - for the second time - identifies the Lamb of God. And this is the whole point of the Gospel of John - that Christ be made known - and later in chapter 3:30, John the Baptist states this: "He must become greater; I must become less."
V.37-39. So it is that in the opening verses of our passage we have already discover that there are two of the Baptist’s disciples (v.35, 37). Upon the Baptist’s identification of the Messiah, he humbly and willingly turns them over to Him and they followed Jesus. In the word - followed (v.37) it doesn’t have a fixed sense of definiteness. So it is very possible that the disciples were following Jesus to find out more about Him, since John the Baptist pointed them to Jesus. But, we do know for certain that a formal ‘discipleship’ relationship developed later on in Scripture.
What is a disciple? A disciple is the same as a learner, or follower - since they literally followed or ‘walked in the tracks of the teacher.’ A disciple, in the first century, learned from his teacher by following their teachers words and actions. The teacher was the disciples mentor and model of what was taught. Before Christ ascended to heaven he called all believers to be disciple makers. The Great Commission states that we are to - Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;. The emphasis in this verse is ‘to make disciples.’ So throughout the church age - discipleship is a normal pattern for the New Testament believer.
Are you being discipled or discipling someone? If not find someone in this church who is older, more spiritually mature than yourself - and ask that person if they would be able to disciple you. Discipleship has great benefits because you will be able to learn Scripture, and see how it is applied to everyday situations in your life. Your discipler would be able to help you to be more rooted in your faith. Discipleship can take place in small groups or on an individual basis - formally and informally.
In the midst of this transfer, Jesus hears the footsteps of the disciples behind Him, and turns around and sees the two disciples following Him. He asks them, What do you seek? - not ‘Whom do you want?’ - Jesus is seeking the purpose of what they want. And the disciples answer with a question - "Rabbi… , "where are You staying? This exchange indicates that the disciples were preparing to follow Jesus as their Rabbi. The purpose that the disciples had was to find and follow ‘The Rabbi’ - which is the Hebrew word for Teacher - as explained in the parenthesis of the text . It literally refers to - my noble one, or master and the author of this gospel is explaining it to his Greek readers.
Jesus responds by inviting them - Come, and you will see. The disciples then follow Jesus and find out where He is living and spend the day with Him, by His side. The exact time of this first encounter with Christ is given to be ‘about the tenth hour.’ The tenth hour would have been at 4:00 pm, by our way of calculating time. The Jews divided the daylight period of the day into 12 hours. The day for the Jews would start at 6 am. Why was the exact time given? We will look at this in a moment.
V.40. As we move forward we now discover the identity of One of the two disciples. The first one is identified as Andrew. Andrew is Simon Peter’s brother. Andrew is not one of the main leaders of the ‘twelve’ disciples of Christ. Instead Andrew in this gospel is mentioned twice outside this reference. In chapter 6:8 we find that Andrew is the one who brings the boy with ‘five loaves and two fish’ to Jesus. And in 12:22 Andrew with Philip bring a message from the Greeks that they wanted to see Jesus, after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. So Andrew is not really a key figure in this gospel, but he is portrayed as a helper or aid. He also is one that introduces others to Christ.
In this verse and if we go back to verse 35 - we note that there were two disciples, Andrew was just one of the two disciples that followed Jesus. So who is the second disciple? The text never mentions his name. It is most likely the Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. If you have read our introduction of this gospel - on our church info blog - you would know that the Apostle John never mentions his own name in this book.
It is likely to be him because if you look back down at verse 39, an exact time reference is given - ‘about the tenth hour.’ This would indicate that this is eyewitness information. It also indicates that there was some impact to this meeting, so the exact time was remembered. It would imply that the Apostle John who wrote this gospel was so impacted by his first meeting with Jesus that he includes this seemingly insignificant detail. Further support that this second disciple was John, is the fact that John is mentioned in the other gospels as among the first disciples - these being Andrew and Peter, and James and John. We should note that implied in this passage, and substantiated in the other gospels is that John and James became followers of Christ together.
V.41-42 Andrew was so excited about meeting Jesus, that he did not keep this treasured time to himself. The first thing Andrew does is to go and get his brother Simon. When Andrew finds Simon, he tells him that he has found the Messiah - ‘the anointed One.’ In the excitement of his amazing discovery, Andrew not only told his brother, but he brought him to Jesus. It appears from the Greek tense of the phrase - he brought him, that there was some reluctance on Simon’s part to go and see Jesus. When the two came to Jesus, before Simon even said anything - Jesus states ‘You are Simon the son of John.’ And then Jesus renames Simon. Jesus gives him the name - Cephas.
Cephas is a Greek transliteration of the Aramaic word - meaning ‘rock.’ The formal Greek word for ‘rock’ - as explained by the Apostle John in the parentheses, is Peter - or petros. Peter/petros was not a formal name in Jesus’ time, but it was more likely a nickname - perhaps a modern equivalent would be ‘rocky.’ His name foreshadowed the changes that were going to be made in his impulsive, volatile, and unreliable character. And it pointed to the role that Peter would play in the early church. Let us stop her for a moment and see what lessons can we learn from Andrew? Well we know that he is portrayed as a helper and also he brings others to Christ. As we allow the Lord to use us in building His church, can we learn something from Andrew’s example and apply it here at Cornerstone Community Church? How can you be a helper in some of our current and planned ministries? How can you become the instrument that the Lord would want to utilize - to build His church? Consider being a helper and be the one who takes the initiative to help out. Make yourself available to serve the Lord.
In addition Andrew was a person who introduced others to Christ. I had already mentioned about the Great Commission earlier. Think about ways you can introduce others to Christ this week - and DO IT. Make it your goal to take ownership of the Great Commission. The Great Commission is not the great suggestion - it is a command - meaning we must be active in implementing it. This can be simply done by encouraging others to come to some of our ministries like the new small group Bible studies. You can invite your non- Christian friends, neighbours, co-workers to join us. Perhaps you could simply invite someone to come with you here on Sundays. Go and bring them here yourself - like Andrew did for his brother Simon. Wake up a little bit earlier and go pick your friend up and bring them to church. There are so many things that can be done, so many blessings experienced, if we commit ourselves to being faithful to Christ.
Jesus says "FOLLOW ME’ calling each one of you here today to be His committed disciple. Our reflections come - not only by examining the response and actions of Andrew and Peter - but we also may pattern our response to Christ, by applying the lessons we discover from Philip and Nathanael.
2. Jesus Draws More Disciples v.43-51
V.43-45 As we begin verse 43, we also begin the next day - this would be the fourth day in a series of days, which began in verse 19. The scene changes as we find that Jesus departs for Galilee. Jesus then finds Philip , He gives him this challenge - or order (imperative) - Follow Me. It was no accident that Jesus found Philip, who was from the same town as Andrew and Peter. Scripture portrays Philip , as a man of ordinary capability. In this gospel, the apostle is portrayed as one who seemed to be challenged beyond his ability. But it is a comfort to know that Jesus seeks out those who are ordinary people. This encourages us to know that plain old people like us can be used by the Lord to do His work in this church… we don’t all need to be superstars, but we just need to faithfully follow, and use our gifts and abilities for the glory of Christ.
Now we see Philip use his ordinary abilities. We see that in turn Philip finds Nathanael. Philip makes a statement to Nathanael, which reveals his view of who Jesus is. Philip says - We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and [also] the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph (v.45). Philip finds in Jesus, what the OT Scriptures witness to - that is the coming Messiah - the coming Christ is now here. Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT Scriptures.
V.46 In reply, Nathanael with scorn and unbelief questions - Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Nathanael was from Cana, a close by town of Nazareth. It appears that there was some rivalry between these two Galilean towns. Nathanael was skeptical as to the fact that Jesus, the Christ would come from such a place. Philip in response doesn’t argue with him, he doesn’t enter into some long discussion to prove that Jesus is the Christ. Instead he follows the method that Jesus used with Andrew and Peter in verse 39 - that is he simply states ‘Come and see.’
An application is imbedded in this text for us. It is a reminder that when we witness to others, and when we go out an do evangelism…that we do not need to argue about who Jesus is, but rather we should evangelize with ‘genuine, concerned, loving proclamation and invitation’ (Borchert). This is the way that we deal with the skeptic…by asking him or her to - Come and see. This is a reminder to us that God is sovereign in salvation. The Bible and Christ are not up for debate, they stand upon their own, authority and power. No one has ever been won over to Christ by arguing them into the Kingdom.
Philip’s example should cause you to reflect - How can you invite someone who doesn’t know Jesus, to ‘come and see?’ Invite them to church, one of our Bible studies, or any other event where they can see Christianity in action and to learn about Christ. In Philip’s response to Nathanael - the skeptic, we see godly wisdom in action, as he leads Nathanael to follow Christ.
V.47-49 As Nathanael follows Philip to see Jesus, Jesus says this of Nathanael - Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit! In the context of what Jesus says later in verse 51, there seems to be an allusion to Genesis 28 - the account of Jacob and the ladder from heaven. Jacob was known for his deceitfulness, and now Nathanael is being contrasted to Jacob. What Jesus is saying of Nathanael is that he is a true and authentic Israelite. Nathanael was a model for others. Nathanael was a man in whom there is no deceit - there is nothing false about this guy. This statement described that Nathanael, demonstrated no deceit and represented what God desired for His people as His servants - unlike the character traits Jacob demonstrated.
We can pause once again and do some self examination. As a Christian are we afraid to make that known to others? And if we are is it because we do not live up to the righteous standards of the Word in our actions and speech each day? Do we know that we are living a double standard and therefore ashamed of our hypocrisy? Or can we as a Christian stand before the Lord and hear Him rightfully say of you - in whom there is no deceit!
Nathanael was now astonished and curious as to how and why Jesus would make this kind of statement. How did Jesus know him and therefore make this tribute? Nathanael discerned that somehow Jesus knew him. In Greek there are 2 words that can be translated as ‘know.’ The first word in Greek states knowledge as a fact - intellectual knowledge, but the second speaks about knowledge through experience / personal knowledge. And in verse 48 the word know, is the later of the two - which expresses that Nathanael asked Jesus how He had a personal knowledge or experiential knowledge of him. Jesus’ answer was this - Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.
It was a custom in this time period that Jewish rabbis would study Scripture, pray, and meditate under a vine, fig tree, or olive tree. It was quite possible that Nathanael was doing the same as Jesus had already complimented him for being a true Israelite.
When Jesus looks at us, what does he find? Does Jesus find in us the character of Nathanael? Does He find someone who is faithful to Him in discipleship, in worship, in evangelism? Does Jesus find you faithful in study of His Word, in leading others to follow Christ? Does He find you as a ‘model’ representative of a true Christian?
In Jesus’ response we see aspects of Christ’s nature of Deity at work, that He is all knowing and all seeing. Jesus Christ super-naturally is able to see Nathanael’s presence and also into his heart. In this encounter, Nathanael comes to the full realization that right before him is the Messiah. Nathanael’s hopes for the coming Messiah have now come to pass. The Rabbi who was present was no other than the ‘the Son of God’ - in the fullness of His Deity, and ‘the King of Israel - in the fulfillment of OT prophecy that Jesus is the Messiah. And with Nathanael’s confession there follows his personal response - submission and obedience to the Christ.
All this is a vivid picture of verse 14 of this chapter of the gospel - And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. The Word who was God, now coming in human flesh - in the person of Jesus Christ, is standing right before Nathanael and the other disciples. Nathanael now openly confessed Jesus Christ, as his earlier doubts turned into belief. It was Nathanael’s knowledge of the OT, Philips’s witness, and Christ’s display of supernatural knowledge that God used to draw and convert Nathanael…and now he joyfully followed Christ.
V.50-51 Jesus’ response to Nathanael confession of who Jesus Christ is this - Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 51 And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Jesus affirms Nathanael’s faith and announces that he will see greater demonstrations of God’s power and revelation.
In verse 51 when Jesus states - Truly, truly, I say to you… if you use the NIV, it is poorly translated. The original Greek is better translated as found in the NASB as - Truly, truly, I say to you… Why is this important? It is important because there is a drawing of the listener and subsequently of the readers attention to what is to follow. In other words what is to be said is so important that it should not be missed. The word truly (NASB) in Greek is a well know word to us - it is the word amen. So literally Jesus says ‘Amen, amen, I say to you…’
"The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated
directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then
into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is
practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word
in human speech. The word is directly related -- in fact, almost
identical -- to the Hebrew word for "believe" (amam), or faithful.
Thus, it came to mean "sure" or "truly", ‘may it be so’ - an expression
of absolute trust and confidence. – HMM from BDB/Thayers"
As Jesus continues speaking, it appears that He is once again making an allusion to Genesis 28:12, where Jacob dreams of the ladder from heaven. Jesus is emphasizing to Nathanael, and includes the other disciples, that they can be absolutely sure that they will, like Jacob, experience supernatural heaven-sent revelation. The disciples will see the heavens opened - because in Christ there is complete, open and direct, communion between God and man (And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us - v.14). In this case supernatural revelation from heaven will confirm who Jesus - the Son of Man - is.
The term ‘the Son of Man,’ was Jesus’ favourite self designation. Jesus referred to Himself by this title over 80 times in the NT. In its general usage, the term identifies Jesus’ relationship to man. As the incarnate Christ - Jesus is the perfect representative of man before God and is the One who reveals divine truth. Later on in the gospel, we will see its specific implications in regards to the scope of God’s plan of salvation. In today’s passage, the term ‘the Son of Man’ replaces the ladder of Jacob’s dream, which indicates that in Jesus there is free access between God and Man. This is what A.T. Roberston wrote about this section:
Christ is himself the bond of fellowship between
heaven and earth, between God and man….
for Jesus is both "the Son of
God" as Nathanael said and "the Son
of Man" as Jesus here calls
himself. ‘God and man meet in Christ. He is the true Jacob's
Ladder. "I am the Way," Jesus will say. He is more than
King of Israel, he is the Son of Man (the race). So quickly
has this Gospel brought out in the witness of the Baptist,
the faith of the first disciples, the claims of Jesus Christ,
the fully developed picture of the Logos who is both God
and man, moving among men and winning them to his
service….He sets forth the dignity
and majesty of His Person.’ - Word Pictures
Overall in our text we see that in the first disciples, they find the Christ. Andrew finds Jesus and then he gets his brother Simon (who is given the name Peter). John, one of the 2 disciples of the Baptist goes and finds his brother James (this is in between the lines of this text but we do know this from the other gospels). Jesus finds Andrew and Peter’s fellow townsman, Philip. And then in turn, Philip goes and finds Nathanael (but on the bigger scale of salvation it was by the will and drawing of the Father - cf. Jn. 6:44 ).
How are we doing at ‘following Jesus’ will, as a church? How are you doing at ‘following Jesus’ as a Christian? Jesus says to His disciples come and follow me. If we really are bringing ourselves before Him, and following Jesus then we will see great and wonderful things that Christ is doing. We will experience the joy of being a Christian, because in faith and faithfulness there is blessing. Amen.
______________________________
By Noah Ressler
Change is inevitable in life. We all know this by experience. Sometimes the change we have experienced is pleasant and sometimes – not so pleasant. But the person who has placed their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving work on the cross on their behalf, that person is called to follow Christ. And from that moment forward as we follow, it is inevitable that change will take place in our lives, if we are truly following. To follow is to be a disciple, student, learner of all that Christ is and our obeying His lessons and making them a part of our lives brings about radical change that has supernatural consequences because the source is supernatural.
Jesus’ first disciples are just like you and I. They were not celebrities. They were not wealthy. They were not mighty in stature in the community. They were hard working people just like us. These were common men in every respect – just like you and me. They brought nothing to Jesus’ ministry that gave Christ a reason to select them because of some personal character trait or strength. As a matter of fact, the opposite is true.
John the Baptist’ ministry is diminishing and Jesus’ ministry is just beginning. Change is inevitable as Jesus interacts with people and demonstrates His being the Son of God. Once we encounter Christ Jesus and believe and obey the Gospel, change must and will take place for our sanctification and growth into the likeness of Christ. No fruit in the Christian life is evidence that we have not encountered Christ and repented of our sins and obeyed the Gospel. These men were changed from common men who were used by Christ to turn the world upside down for the cause of Christ. We too have been called in our common state to become men and women who propagate the Gospel and impact our community for Christ. That is the mandate of The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.
Where are you at in the view of the Scriptures in John 1:35-51? Do you know that Jesus Christ is God, that He by means of His work on the cross has opened the doors of His Kingdom in heaven for access to you that have repented of your sins and confessed Him as Lord and Savior? I urge you to repent, even now and call upon His name for your acquittal before the bar of God’s justice. To those who have done so – are you following Him as a disciple? Are you learning and committing your soul to Him that is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient? Make a commitment, even now, to commit to a life of obedient worship of your Creator, Jesus Christ.
EXCURSUS ON THE FIRST DISCIPLES.
Andrew
Andrew means "manly." He was bold, decisive, and deliberate. As our text says, Andrew was the first called by name. He was part of the 1st group although he was not included in some of the important events as Peter, James, and John were with Christ (Mt. 17:1; Mk. 5:37; 14:33). At other times he was featured as part of the inner circle (cf. Mk. 1:29; 13:3). There was no question that he had a particularly close relationship with Christ, b/c he was so often the means by which other people were personally introduced to the Master, as is the case here in our text.
Andrew’s eagerness to follow Christ, combined with his zeal to introduce others to Him, fairly typifies Andrew’s character.
Andrew lived his life in the shadow of his better-known brother. Many of the verses that name him add that he was Peter’s brother, as if that were the fact that made him significant. But in Andrew’s case there is no evidence that he begrudged Peter’s dominance. Almost everything Scripture tells us about Andrew shows that he had the right heart for effective ministry in the background. He did not seek to be the center of attention. He did not seem to resent those who labored in the limelight. He was evidently pleased to do what he could with the gifts and calling God had bestowed on him, and he allowed the others to do likewise.
Of all the disciples in the inner circle, Andrew appears to be the least contentious and most thoughtful. Peter tended to be impetuous, to rush ahead foolishly, and to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. He was often brash, clumsy, hasty, and impulsive. James and John were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder because of their reckless tendencies. They were evidently the ones who provoked many of the arguments about who was the greatest. But there’s never a hint of that with Andrew. Whenever he speaks, which is rare in Scripture – he always says the right thing, not the wrong thing.
Andrew may be a better model for most church leaders than Peter, because most who enter the ministry will labor in relative obscurity, like Andrew, as opposed to being renowned and prominent, like Peter.
Peter
Here in our text Jesus describes His first face-to-face meeting with Simon Peter… from then on "Rock" was his nickname. If the Lord called Peter "Simon," he was signaling him that he was acting like his old self. If he called him "Rock," He was commending him for acting the way he ought to be acting. Simon, who would become Peter, was impetuous, impulsive, and overeager. He needed to become like a rock, so that is what Jesus named him. From then on, the Lord could gently chide him or commend him just by using one name or the other.
In Luke 5:5, for example, Luke writes, "Simon answered and said unto Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your Word I will let down the net.’" … He is skeptical and reluctant. But as he obeys and his eyes are opened to who Jesus really is, Luke begins to refer to him by his new name. Verse 8 says, "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!
In Luke 22:31, foretelling Peter’s betrayal, Jesus said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat." Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Peter should have been watching and praying with Christ, he fell asleep. Mark writes, "[Jesus] came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. The Ssirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Mk. 14:37-38). Thus usually when Peter needed rebuke or admonishment, Jesus referred to him as Simon. It must have reached the point where whenever the Lord said "Simon," Peter cringed. He must have been thinking, Please call me Rock! And the Lord might have replied, "I’ll call you Rock when you act like a rock."
After the resurrection, Jesus instructed His disciples to return to Galilee, where He planned to appear to them (Mt. 28:7). Impatient Simon apparently got tired of waiting, so he announced that he was going back to fishing (Jn. 21:3). As usual, the other disciples dutifully followed their leader. They got into the boat, fished all night, and caught nothing… But Jesus met them on the shore the following morning, where He had prepared breakfast for them. The main purpose of the breakfast meeting seemed to be the restoration of Peter (who, of course, had sinned egregiously by denying Christ with curses on the night the Lord was betrayed). Three times the Lord addressed him as Simon and asked, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" (Jn. 21:15-17). Three times Peter affirmed his love… That was the last time Jesus ever had to call him Simon. A few weeks later, on Pentecost, Peter and the rest of the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit. It was Peter, the Rock, who stood up and preached that day.
Peter was exactly like most Christians – both carnal and spiritual. He succumbed to the habits of the flesh sometimes; he functioned in the Spirit other times. He was sinful sometimes, but other times he acted the way a righteous man ought to act. This vacillating man – sometimes Simon, sometimes Peter – was the leader of the Twelve.
Peter’s occupation of fishing and his discipleship can be listed as follows:
a. In John 1:42 the Lord did not say "Follow Me" when Andrew drew him away from his fishing to be brought to the Messiah. It is as if He would test the faithfulness of Peter to see if he would follow Him.
b. In Matt. 4:18 He found Peter fishing again by the Sea of Galilee. The Lord said, "FollowMe", and he would be made a fisher of men. Again, Peter left his fishing, and followed Him.
c. In Luke 5:1-11 Peter had returned to his fishing again. Having caught nothing, and having seen the miraculous catch of fish, he confessed to being a sinful man. So he forsook all and followed Him.
d. In John 13:36 the Lord announced to Peter that he could not follow the Lord there and then. Stating that he would follow the Lord even to unto death, he soon forsook Him and fled, and shortly afterwards denied Him.
e. In John 21:3 after the Lord’s resurrection, Peter decided to go fishing in the Sea of Galilee so familiar to him. Only when John said, "It is the Lord" did Peter know who was standing on the shore. In the final conversation that ensued, the Lord predicted Peter’s ultimate death by crucifixion, adding "Follow thou Me" when Peter asked what would happen to John.
f. In the Acts Peter never returned to fishing again, following the Lord until his decease "as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed Me" (I Pet. 1:14).
Philip
Greek name meaning lover of horses. He must also have had a Jewish name, b/c all 12 apostles were Jewish. But his Jewish name is never given. Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, 1:44. John MacArthur says of Philip in his Twelve Ordinary Men: "Piecing together all that the apostle John records about him, it seems Philip was a classic "process person." He was a facts-and-figures-guy – a by-the-book, practical minded, non-forward thinking type of individual. He was the kind who tends to be a corporate kill-joy, pessimistic, narrowly focused, sometimes missing the big picture, often obsessed with identifying reasons things can’t be done rather than finding ways to do them. He was predisposed to be a pragmatist and a cynic – and sometimes a defeatist – rather than a visionary."
Nathanael
Nathanael means God has given. In the other Gospels he is called Bartholomew, a Hebrew surname meaning "son of Tolmai. So he is Nathanel, son of Tolmai, or Nathanael Bar-Tolmai.
According to John 21:12 Nathanael was from the small town Cana in Galilee, the place Jesus performed His first miracle of changing water into wine (John 2:11). Cana was close to Jesus’ hometown Nazareth. He was a searcher of Scripture and a seeker of Messianic truth, Jn. 1:43-44. We must remember he knew the Scriptures very well and Nazareth was not in Scripture as the place from which Messiah was to come – Bethlehem was, but not Nazareth. His statement, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" shows his prejudice. Nazareth was a rough town. Its culture was largely unrefined and uneducated. Nazareth is not a necessarily picturesque place. Although it has a nice setting on the slopes of the hills of Galilee, it is not a very memorable town, and was even less so in Jesus’ time. The Judeans looked down on all Galileans, but even the Galileans looked down on the Nazarenes. Nathanael, though he came from an even more lowly village, was simply echoing the Galileans’ general contempt for Nazareth.
(For a full explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - click here - http://www.doihaveeternallife.blogspot.com/)
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