In reading these verses, we know for sure that John
the Baptist was a very self-assured person. He clearly understood what he was
called to do. He came to point out Jesus, the Lamb of God to the community. So
that day as he was standing with two of his own disciples, and Jesus was
walking by, he immediately pointed Him out to them, saying, “Behold, the Lamb
of God!” One of his two disciples whom He pointed the Lamb to was Andrew, the
brother of Simon Peter. The other was not named. He was likely to be John (the
son of Zebedee), the author of this Gospel. In not mentioning his own name was John’s
modest way of indicating that he was with Andrew then.
As we contemplate and dwell on the whole event, we
would conclude that they were looking for Jesus. But in reality it was the other
way round. Jesus was the One Who was looking for them. For in the other
Gospels, we are told that it was Jesus who saw John and Peter busy at their
fishing business and called them to follow Him. Here we are told that it was
Andrew who sought Peter, his brother out and brought him to Jesus. So we are
often baffled by what appears to be contradictory to the other Gospel records.
Do bear in mind that the records of how they came to Jesus are not recorded in
sequence. Each of the authors was looking at the calling of the disciples from
different angles.
In this account we are also told that it was the
two disciples of John the Baptist that came up to Jesus inquiring after Him. A
careful observation and analysis would tell us that it was Jesus who initiated
the conversation. He asked them, “Who do you seek?” This is a very important
question for all seekers. People seek Jesus with different kinds of motives.
Some seek Him following herd instinct. Some seek Him for the loaves and fishes.
Still others seek Him for healing, and the list can go on. Personally we must
make sure our primary motive in seeking Him is to know and love Him. The blessings
He will shower upon us are the by-products and bonuses of knowing Him.
See how they responded to Jesus’s question. They
asked Him, “Rabbi” meaning Teacher, “Where are you staying?” We need to
remember what Jesus Himself had said in Luke 9:58, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Here’s a side thought, if we are looking
at following Him for comfort, we may be barking up the wrong tree. Here in this
account, Jesus
invited them to come and explore for themselves. He will never impose on anyone.
His ways are fair. There’s no deception or duplicity with Him. Honest seekers of
Christ will discover that He is perfect, just and righteous.
Notice how the Lord answered their question, “Come
and you will see.” His response indicates an invitation to enter into a
personal experience with Him. We can never experience Jesus from afar. We will
always need to draw near to experience Him. So at His invitation, Andrew and John went with Jesus
and stayed with Him for that day for it was already about the tenth hour or 4
pm. We are not told the place they stayed, for the emphasis is about being with
Jesus. It is being with Him that is important. The crux in life is to be with
Jesus regardless of the place.
Obviously, Andrew was fully convinced that Jesus
was the Messiah. It is clearly stated in John 1:41. So he went and brought his
brother Simon Peter to Christ. His words to his brother was, “We have found the Messiah.” When Jesus
saw the brother, He immediately identified him as Simon and told him he shall
be known as Cephas or Peter. From his name Simon, meaning shifting sand, Jesus wanted
to transform him and make him a more stable person. Hence He called him Cephas or
Peter, meaning a stone. Remember when we come to Jesus, it is Him we must seek.
And we must seek Him regardless of where we are. Know that what He had done to
Peter, He will also do for us. He will change our uncertainty and give us the
certainty of eternity, and a stable and focused life here on earth now. So let’s
pursue Him!
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