The Word Divides

Part X

John 1:40-42

Part X

John 1:40-42

"The first thing"

"Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter)."

What are you searching and/or longing for? It seems that for most what they search and long for is just beyond their reach. That “thing” seems to be elusive yet so close. For many in Andrew’s day it was freedom from the super power Rome or a bumper crop, or maybe a large successful fishing day in the Sea of Galilee or the healing of a loved one, a wife, child or replacement of the current Jewish leadership and the list would vary and expand if you interviewed individuals.

In our earlier blogs from John, our conclusion is that Andrew and John the Apostle (the author of the Gospel of John) are the “two disciples” who heard John the Baptist declare, “Look, the Lamb of God!” The two had followed Jesus and spent the day with Jesus.

At this moment in time all, we know is that John and Andrew appear to be searching for the Messiah. Perhaps they thought John the Baptist might be the Messiah or found his preaching to be of God, we really don't know that answer. However, John the Baptist tells the crowds the Messiah is here. John then identifies Jesus as Him, the “Son of God”, “Lamb of God” and one who “will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” What did John and Andrew actually understand at this moment in time? They seem to act in FAITH= Forsaking All I Take Him (Dr. Igou Hodges, Reformed Theology). Jesus addresses John and Andrew at their level of understanding and at the same time, reveals more and more light of His identity, "Come and you will see."

Who can begin to fathom the identity of GOD? No one can claim to know God apart from God making Himself known for John declares the “world did not recognize him.” (John 1:10) John has already made it known “in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Jesus comes to reveal the one no man had seen, God. (John 1:18) Jesus is the “Eternal Living Revelation”; Jesus is God, Begotten by the Holy Spirit (John 1:14, 18; John 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9) and “exact representation” (Hebrews 1:3) of God. However, the incarnation was for our benefit, for God has no physical body or anything you can see. “The Word becomes flesh”, in other words the incarnation is God speaking, making Himself known (John 1:18), Jesus is then the “light of the world.” (John 8:12) The unseen one is now present. When you see Jesus you see God.

Jesus comes on a mission, a second Genesis, doing a new creation, calling to Himself a people, “born of God.” (John 1:13) Jesus does not haphazardly carry out his work. Jesus is not on an expedition but on a mission that has purpose, his drops of blood have named identity. There is unique DNA with each drop of blood. Jesus died for those whom He calls. There are biblical truths that are presented that cannot be fully grasped by human understanding but are true. One of those tensions surrounds predestination and election. Jesus does not come wondering if people will respond to Him or aimlessly strolling the Judean countryside trying to find listeners nor does he hope some will pass on the message to others. John the Baptist was “born of God” in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:41) and was prophesied about 100’s of years prior to his birth. John the Baptist was no accident. Jesus comes “at just the right time.” (Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4)

Likewise, Andrew and John the Apostle are not by chance encounters; however, they both are a part of the crowds that followed John the Baptist but only two are named that were responsive to what they hear about Jesus. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13). Andrew and John both heed Jesus call “Come” (John 1:39) and “so they went” and “spent that day with him.” (John 1:38)

I am back to the why? Why Andrew and John? The only answer God gives is that “Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.” (Romans 9:18) Why doesn't God send angels flying back and forth in the Heavens preaching the gospel? Jesus will dispatch one of his angels before His second coming; “an Angel flying in midair” will proclaim “the eternal gospel to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.” (Revelation 14:6) We are better served when we finally come to the realization God does not need us and is perfectly content in His own being. God is not lacking or somehow incomplete without creation nor is He in need of anyone to proclaim the gospel. As Jesus said to the Pharisees, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40) What amazing His grace. God viewed us in our misery and hostility toward Him and yet chooses to act at all is Amazing Grace.

Andrew is referred to as Simon Peter’s brother, which indicates that John’s writing is probably written later, 80’s or so AD vs. 50 or so AD. Peter is well known and Andrew probably lesser known. Andrew like his brother is a Fisherman and both shared a home in the town of Capernaum (Mark 1:29) but apparently grew up in Bethsaida (the Galilee region). (John 1:44) Andrew and Simon were also fishing partners with John the writer of the Gospel and his brother James (Luke 5) Andrew found what he was seeking, “the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).” (John 1:41) Andrew declares Jesus to be the Anointed One of God. In the Old Testament, Prophets, Priest and Kings were anointed which symbolized a consecration, a setting a part of the person for the particular calling of God. Andrew has gone from an inquirer to a herald, another voice crying in the wilderness, “Look the Lamb of God.” Who better to tell than his brother and fishing partner, Simon Peter? What Andrew had longed for had been found!!! The search had come to a glorious ending. Andrew had found that which was more precious than silver, gold, or even his brother Simon.

Apparently, Andrew and Simon had left their fishing business to hear from the wilderness Preacher John the Baptist. Capernaum is 80 or so miles from the “Bethany on the other side of the Jordan” (John 1:28) area. (http://www.seetheholyland.net/bethany...)

These two men had traveled on foot to hear more about the message of John the Baptist. In 2015, people expect the messenger to come to them through some electronic means rather than get up and travel by car. It is too inconvenient or the place where they must attend is full of hypocrites, any excuse will do. Andrew and Simon had demonstrated their willingness to put everything on the line to find what they were looking for. Immediately, “first thing”, Andrew did was to find Simon and let him know our search is over, “we have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41) Andrew then introduces Peter to Jesus (John 1:42).

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” (Isiah 52:7; Romans 10:15) What might happen if in the next hour every single believer introduced someone in his or her family to Jesus? Many of you who read this blog are saying I cannot but that is not true you can. Andrew was a fisherman not a theologian who followed a man in the desert that was dressed in camel hair and eating locust. What that preacher said was “Look! The Lamb of God.” (John 1:36) You can at least say that about Jesus to someone and point him or her to the Bible to read further! The result of Andrew’s witnessing was that his brother Simon was brought into the family of God, Jesus says, “You are Simon son of John, You will be called Cephas” (which means, when translated, is Peter).”(John 1:42) Cephas the Aramaic equal of Peter means rock or stone. Peter is now part of a new family, the family of God with a new identification card, blood bought and righteousness imputed (Romans 3:23-26), “In Christ.”

Jesus names Peter for what is seen from Heaven’s perspective. All those who are “in Christ” have been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) and described as “glorified” now (Romans 8:30), it is a sure thing “in Christ.” It was certain that Peter will be a rock, because he rested in the “Rock not carved by human hands” (Daniel 2:34), Christ Jesus, the Messiah. More light will be given (John 1:9) Andrew and Peter as they travel with Jesus.

What are you longing and searching for? Jesus is calling, "Come and you will see", He will fulfill all your longings and desires.