First Disciples

John 1:35-42

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which 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 Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which 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 means Peter).

Notes

One day, when John the Baptist was with his pupils, he once again spoke of the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God. Two disciples heard him and then followed the Lamb of God. The author revealed that the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He narrated that the Word became flesh. John the Beloved wrote that a man was sent from God named John. God used John as a witness to reveal the One who was before everyone else, the One in whom the world was created.

1. Behold the Lamb of God

   John the Baptist remained consistent with his purpose and message, “Behold the Lamb of God!” As a result, John’s disciples followed the Lord Jesus, which proved that John’s preaching was effective.

   
   4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him (John 13:4-5).

2. John’s disciples follow Jesus

   When the Lord Jesus asked, “What are you seeking?” They answered by addressing Him as “Rabbi,” which means teacher. John’s disciples seemed to want the Lord to be their new teacher.

   38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which 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 (John 1:38-39).

3. Andrew brings Peter

   The writer introduced Andrew, who first followed John the Baptist. He was Simon Peter’s brother. Andrew told his brother Simon Peter that they had found the Messiah, repeating the witness of John the Baptist. Jesus called him Cephas.

   
   40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which 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 means Peter) (John 1:40-42).

Application

1. Follow the Lord Jesus

   The disciples of John the Baptist followed Jesus. First, they called Him “Rabbi,” and then they followed Him home. Let us believe that the Lord Jesus is the Messiah and learn from Him.

2. Speak about the Lord Jesus

   John the Baptist revealed the Messiah. One of John’s disciples, Andrew, followed the Lord Jesus and told his brother, Simon Peter. We should tell people about the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
   

3. See others follow the Lord Jesus

   John the Baptist told his pupils about the Lamb of God, then two of them followed the Lord Jesus. One of them, Andrew, told his brother, Simon Peter, then Peter followed Christ.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What did the two disciples do after they heard the Baptist’s statement?

2. What did they call the Lord Jesus? What does it mean?

3. What did Andrew do after he stayed with the Lord Jesus?