In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ Jesus Calls His First Disciples November 16,

2 Disciples Setup From a very early age the “bright” and “charismatic” children were identified These children studied under a Rabbi If you were fishing in the NT, you were considered neither These men Jesus called were not the “Spiritual Elite” Jesus had no problem working with “Joe the Plumber” types

3 Jesus Discipling Read John 1:35 Interesting that John the Baptist consistently refers to him as the “Lamb of God” An instrument for the forgiveness of sins vs. king of Israel Read John 1:36-39 The unnamed disciple is John (the author)

4 Jesus’ Initiative “followed” (vs.37) is a conjugated verb meaning –then and forever It is important to John and US that Jesus takes the initiative Our relationship with God always begins with His invitation to us “What are you seeking?” – Jesus NIV “What do you want”

5 What are YOU seeking The question is also one the most BASIC questions of life What is most important to you? Where are you looking for satisfaction and meaning? Answer: Rabbi, where are you staying? In Hebrew Rabbi literally means, "My great one” There is really no higher compliment to another human in Jewish culture

6 Where Are You Staying An inquiry into Jesus' lodging arrangements? Greek word for “staying” is important in John’s gospel Same word used of the Holy Spirit staying, remaining, or abiding on Jesus in John 1:32, John 15:4, 7, 9 “What is the center and meaning of life for you?" "What relationship do you have that is lasting and secure?" "Where is your safe place in the storms of life?"

7 Come and You Will See Jesus' way of acknowledging the truth of John 1:14 “Dwelt” The Word has become flesh invites us to examine his TENT and to see the glory of God They stayed with him. They chose to make Jesus their abiding place, the center and meaning of their lives Look at the effect this encounter had on Andrew and John

8 Andrew’s Example He experienced Jesus Found his brother and WITNESSED Many times new converts seem to have the fire to share JESUS Peter – “rock” Jesus does not only see what a man is He also sees what a man can become

9 Matthew’s Account Read Matthew 4:18-22 Was this the Second Encounter with Jesus? Scholars theorize that this might be after John’s account and the Temptation Lesson: Once we become disciples of Christ we can’ go back to our old life We are participating in the Kingdom, Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20)

10 Philip - Compressed Read 1:43-47 (very compressed) Philip turned the attention to Jesus We could learn from this Philip in verse 45 “the Law and the Prophets” refers to the OT Nathaniel throws Nazareth under the Bus Possible that town rivalry existed? Or by the lack of mention of Nazareth in the Old Testament?

11 Israelites and Fig Trees Read Psalm 32:2 Israel was the new name given Jacob after his Peniel experience with God (Gen. 32:22-32). The name Jacob meant deceitful or conniving. Thus Nathaniel is genuinely a descendent of Israel - not of Jacob the deceiver Read John 1:48-51

12 Fig Trees cont…. Fig tree in OT represents prayer, study, and meditation to God Nathaniel’s conversion describes the movement of a person from skepticism to full Christian faith John 1:51 He alludes to the story of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:12. John will make it clear that Jesus is the only access to God

Application

14 John’s Disciples John 1:35-37 –“Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” (NASB) Was John intentionally sending his disciples away? How could he be content to let his disciples leave him for Jesus?

15 John’s Disciples (cont.) John 3:26-30 –“And they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.’ John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Christ,” but, “I have been sent ahead of Him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.’ ” (NASB)

16 John’s Disciples (cont.) John knew that his mission was to lead people to Jesus, not build a ministry of his own Do we have this same goal today? Is our goal to introduce people to Jesus, or is it something else? Do we want them to be followers of Jesus or rather become what we want them to be?

17 We Have Found Him! John 1:40-42 –“One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which translated means Christ). 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).”

18 The Messiah! Andrew and Peter were uneducated fishermen, yet knew the Messiah when they saw Him –Implies that they were looking for the Messiah –Andrew couldn’t wait to tell his brother –They recognized Him even though the spiritual elite did not Are we intently looking for the Messiah? –Do we recognize Him when we see Him? –Or do our preconceived notions interfere?

19 Nathanael John 1:45-46 –“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.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” Nathanael was from Cana, about 4 miles from Nazareth, and was likely familiar with its reputation

20 Nathanael (cont.) He obviously had some preconceived notions about Nazareth and its townspeople What if he had let his prejudices get in the way of meeting Jesus? –Where would that have left him? –What would he have missed? Do we let our prejudices and preconceived notions interfere with our meeting Jesus?

21 The Disciples These simple, hardworking men left all they had to follow a man they knew to be the Messiah They were looking for Him They recognized Him They abandoned prejudices to join Him They followed Jesus –… and ultimately gave their lives for it Are YOU willing to do the same?

22 Next Week Jesus’ First Miracle