21. The first disciples follow Jesus
– John 1:35-51
John 1:37-38 “When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’ They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?”
The two disciples, John and Andrew, did not know Jesus. They had never met him. Yet, they had heard about him and immediately followed behind. They had heard about the coming Messiah in the Old Testament and they heard the stories from John the Baptist. They only knew a little about Jesus when they decided to follow him. Jesus asked them why they wanted to follow him. He wanted to hear them tell him their motive. Were they following him to see if what John said was true? Were they following him because they wanted popularity? Were they following him because of reasons in their personal life that they wanted to leave behind? No, none of these were the case. The two disciples immediately accepted Jesus as the Lamb of God and wanted to learn from him. They called him “Rabbi”. Jesus knew well about heavenly things and they wanted to know more. They were eager to learn from him. Personally, why do you follow Jesus? Do you follow him because those around you follow him? Do you follow him because you want him to help you with your personal worldly desires? Or, are you willing to change your desires to his? Are you open to being taught by him? Are you willing to listen and follow despite the hardship?
John 1:48-50 “How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.”
Nathanael was shocked that Jesus knew who he was upon meeting him. But then, Jesus mentioned how he saw Nathanael even before he met him physically. Jesus is God and all-knowing. Even while he was physically on earth, he knew everything about everyone and saw all things. He is completely human and completely God. Jesus scoffed at the fact that Nathanael believed based on a statement about Nathanael’s past. Jesus is capable of all things. He knew that this was enough for Nathanael to believe. Yet, Jesus wanted to show him more. In the same way, Jesus reveals himself more and more to us the longer we follow him. When you begin to understand God more, the first revelations seem surface level. There is so much to God that we will never understand him completely. Our earthly minds can’t comprehend his fullness. However, we can strive to learn more and more each day. The deeper your relationship grows with him the more things you will come to see and know. Be eager to know more. He promises to share with you even greater revelations. The more you get to know him the easier it will be to believe in him. It will be easier to follow him. You will come to understand just how great of a God and father he is to us.
