WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 54
The simplest description of those whom God calls and who know Him
BIBLE STUDY NOTES OUR LORD’S
INTERVIEWS
by Francis W. Dixon
Study 2 WITH HIS FIRST FOLLOWERS IN GALILEE
(Scripture Portion: John 1:35-51)
In Mark 3:13-19 we read of the occasion when Jesus called His disciples, and
Mark tells us the names of these men who were to be with Him for His three
years of public ministry. In John 1:35-51 we read of how six of the Lord’s first
followers came to Him – Andrew (v.35-40); John (it is generally assumed that
John, the writer of this Gospel, was the second disciple mentioned in v.35),
Peter (v.41-42), James (it is also generally assumed from v.41 that as Andrew
found his own brother, John also found his brother, namely James), Philip (v.43-
44), and Nathanael (v.45). Each of these men had a vital, personal interview
with the Lord and as a result they became His friends and disciples throughout
His public ministry. Note carefully the following lessons:-
1. Christian experience begins when we recognise Jesus as the Lamb of
God.
Verses 35-36: the supreme fact about the Lord Jesus is that He is the Lamb of
God; that is, He is the Sin-bearer, the One who came into the world to bear our
sins away in His body on the Cross – compare Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians
5:21; 1 Peter 2:24. Then John the Baptist cried out (John 1:29; 1:36), thus
identifying the Lord Jesus as the One foretold in type and prophecy as the true
Messiah who would come to put away the sins of His people. Look up and
compare Revelation 13:8 with Exodus 12:13; John 19:36; 1 Corinthians 5:7;
1 Peter 1:19. Christian experience begins at the Cross.
2. A Christian is someone who enters into a personal relationship with the
Lord.
Verses 38-39: these two disciples recognised that Jesus was the Lamb of God,
the promised Messiah, and now they wanted to meet Him and get to know Him
(v.38)! To their great joy Jesus replied (v.39). How significant the words are –
“so they went and saw…”, and evidently they spent a number of hours in His
presence! Why does John tell us about the length of time he and Andrew spent
with Him? Surely the reason is that that interview changed their lives. A
personal interview with the Lord Jesus will result in a complete transformation
of the life every time. It is not enough to know about Him or even to believe that
He is the Lamb of God who died for you; that is very wonderful, but you must
come, as these two disciples did, because a Christian is someone who not only
believes about Him but who knows Him personally. Look up and compare John
17:3 with 2 Timothy 1:12. Do you know Him?
3.
is that they are His followers.
Verses 37,38,43: to be a follower implies at least five things:-
(1) It means going after Him – that is, going wherever He leads.
(2) It means keeping close to Him. You cannot really follow at a distance (Luke 22:54)!
(3) It means leaving some things behind (Luke 18:28).
(4) It means being like the Lord and doing what He would do (1 Peter 2:21).
(5) It involves an open confession. We cannot follow secretly!
4. The Lord calls all kinds of people to serve and to follow Him.
One commentator says that Andrew is the cautious one; John is the poet;
Simon is straightforward; Philip is the shy one; (James he does not describe);
and Nathanael is the ingenuous one. How wonderful God’s grace is! We are all
so different, yet the Lord loves us and has a place for us all in His service.
Different types of people are found in every church – different temperamentally,
socially or racially – yet they are all made “one” (Galatians 3:28).
5. The Lord has a plan for the life and service of each of His followers.
Verses 40-42: How revealing these words are! – “Jesus looked at him”. Yes, He
knew how impetuous Peter was and what a deep work of grace would be
needed in his life. Jesus said to him, “You are… you will be…” Knowing all that
Peter was, He prophesied what He was going to make of him (Matthew 16:18).
Have you asked Jesus about His plan for your life?
6. It is the Lord’s plan that all His followers should be missionaries.
Verses 41 and 42: we read of Andrew finding Peter and bringing him to Jesus.
In verse 43 Jesus found Philip, and in verse 45 Philip found Nathanael, and as
we read on through the Gospel and into the Book of Acts we see that this is
how the Church grew. Each one reached one! A missionary is not someone who
is in a profession, but someone who has a passion. How many missionaries do
you have in your church? Be careful how you answer, because every member
is a missionary – or should be.
7. Two examples are given of the kind of missionary testimony that the
Lord’s followers should give.
First we have Andrew’s testimony in verse 41; and then Philip’s in verse 45.
Notice: (1) their earnestness. How determined they were to bring loved-ones
and friends to Jesus! (2) the simplicity of their testimony. (3) how clearly they
spoke. (4) how close to scripture their testimony was (verses 41,45). Notice
their refusal to argue (verse 46)!
All this happened 2,000 years ago when Jesus began His public ministry, yet it
is still happening today. From the Throne above, where our Lord Jesus is
exalted, He is calling men and women to Himself and sending them out as His
missionaries. Are you one of these?
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