Introduction to Jesus

In review of John 1:35-51, I see in this passage I see the calling of some of the first disciples of Jesus.  As explained, John was standing with two of his disciple. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!"  When John's disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

When Jesus noticed them following him, he asked "What do you want?" They replied, "Teacher, where are you staying?" "Come and see", Jesus told them.  They went with him and remained with him the rest of the day.

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother was one of these men. Andrew when to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah." Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Jesus looking intently at Simon, said "Your name is Simon, son of John, but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter".)

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and told him to "Come, follow me." Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown. Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathaniel, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" "Come and see for yourself," Philip told him.

As they approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel, a man of complete integrity." "How do you know about me?" Nathaniel asked.  Jesus told him, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you."  Nathaniel exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, the King of Israel!"

Jesus asked him, "Do you believe this just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.  I tell you the truth, you will all see (NLT) heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth."

Jesus calls some of the first disciples and reveals some things about himself. In this passage I get to see several people and their first interactions with Jesus.  First there is John the Baptist, then the two of John’s disciples, one of which was Andrew (brother of Simon-Peter). Simon-Peter, Philip and then Nathaniel .

In summary, John the Baptist recognizes Jesus again and tells his disciples that are with him. The two disciples follow and stay with Jesus. Andrew who was one of John’s disciples is so excited he finds his brother Simon, and tells him to come and see. When Simon meets Jesus, Jesus renamed him Peter.

The next day, Jesus sees and calls Philip as he is going to Galilee. Philip finds Nathaniel and tells him to come and see as well. At first Nathaniel questions if anything can come from Jesus home town. Jesus tells Nathaniel all about his character. Tells Nathaniel he has seen him under a fig tree earlier. Nathaniel believes. Jesus asks if he believes only because he could describe his life? He then assures him that he will see even more as Jesus is the link between heaven and earth (NLT - the stairway between heaven and earth.)

I thank you this morning Father for some further examples of discipleship in process.  

Having just gone through some in-depth studying on discipleship, I get to see the various ways in which people get introduced to Jesus.

I can see in this passage that Jesus is sometimes introduced in some fashion or he provides a direct invitation. John the Baptist introduces / points him out to his disciples, Andrew to his brother, and Philip to Nathaniel. These introductions were through some form of revelation and excitement. This is a great example for myself as well, my own excitement for what Jesus means to me.  In this passage I also see where Jesus finds Philip and just invites him. Philip after his encounter with Jesus is excited enough to tell and introduce Nathaniel.

Bottom Line:

One of the greatest things in life is an introduction to Jesus.

What this means to me:

Sharing my life and excitement for Jesus, can be an easy way for me to introduce Christ to others.