Verses
1 In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him,
and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life,
and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Observations
1. Gen 1:1
In the beginning - origin etnerally
Let us make - father/son
Heb 1:1-3
John the Baptist http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8733-john-the-baptist
- John starts with the beginning and source of history. 1 John 1:1, Rev 19:13, Gen 1:1
- He wants to make sure that we start with the understanding of the divine, sovereign ruler of the universe that came to earth.
- John wrote his book for all audiences to know Jesus, not just about Him. He does not just document events, but the meaning of those events.
- beginning = origin
Introduction is parallel to that of Paul's in Hebrews 1: 1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things,through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being thebrightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself [fn1] purged our [fn2] sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
- "Life" used 36 times
- He changes the thought from an abstract "Word" to denoting it is talking about a person.
- Word = Logos = breath of God, power
- Jews knew about God, but concept that someone on earth could be God was heresy.
- God had been "with" the Jews in the tabernacle, (Ex 40:34 and then His glory had left them in the (Ezek 9:3)
- Ps 33:6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made
- Greeks rejected thought that matter had been created. JF&B
- Col 1:16 All created by him and form him
v3 - Jesus was not "created" by God as JW state since ALL that was created was made by Him. (JP)
Light - Scripture passages and word study
Light
- John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
- 1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
- Acts 26:18 Satan is power of darkness
2 Cor 4:4 Satan, god of this age blinds us from the light of gospel
In Him was life : The Word is the source of all life. The ancient Greek word translated life is zoe , which means "the life principle," not bios , which is mere biological life. This life is the light of men , speaking of spiritual light as well as natural light. It isn’t that the Word "contains" life and light; He is life and light . DGuzik
Interpretation
1-3
1.Everlasting, Eternal, Devine, person, manifestation
2 Father/Son
3 only creator of everything, not created
infinite, sovereign
-Jesus is God
-Jesus is eternal
-Jesus is my creator
- Jesus created all matter
If Jesus creator then He is sovereign over creation and all matter around me.
- I am born a under Satan’s darkness which causes blindness
- satan wants to obscure reality that I need to be restored to God through Jesus
-
- The spiritual/supernatural "life" of Jesus gives us the ability to see/recognize spiritual things. PD
Life -- In him was life. John's favorite word for life is zwh... He uses the word mostly with respect to eternal life. Eternal life might also be referred to as spiritual life. In mankind's fallen condition, man is without spiritual life. He is spiritually dead. However, in the prolog, since the reference to life occurs after a reference to creation, the context suggests natural life as well. So we will address life in terms of both natural life and spiritual life.
Light -- The light was the light of men. For light, John often uses the word fw/j. While John has some references to physical light, his references to light are mostly ethical. Since the reference to light occurs after a reference to creation, the context suggests natural light as well as spiritual light. So we will consider both.
Shines -- The light shines. For shines John uses the word fai,nei. The tense here is very important, for it indicates continuous action in the present. The light was shining then, and the light is still shining. It has never stopped shining. Darkness -- The light shines in the darkness. The word John uses for darkness is skoti,a. In a few cases, John uses it in reference to natural darkness. However, most of the time, John uses it in reference to spiritual or moral darkness.
Comprehend -- The darkness did not comprehend the light. The word is kate,laben. It can mean comprehend or it can mean overcome. Certainly in John we find places where the light is not comprehended, but we also find other places where the darkness attempts to overcome the light. So we will use both comprehend and overcome.
Application
Worship Jesus as God
I can trust Jesus to show me the truth.
Since Jesus created everything he is in control and has a purpose for all.
Don't allow any man to bring doubt to my mind that Jesus Christ is God, and the sovereign Lord of all the universe.
The life in Jesus gives me my spiritual light. Without him I am dark.
Christ created man with spiritual life. Adam sinned and moved us into darkness. Christ's death restores our relationship with God which allows me to have spiritual life again.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
John the Baptist was Jesus's cousin who was born to the Priest Zachariahs & Elizabeth 6 months before him. Luke 1:1-24 Angel came to Zacharaiahs and foretold of John's role. "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 1:40 Elizabeth said "But why [is] this [granted] to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
1:76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
Matt 1:31 - John says he did not know Jesus was the Messiah until it was revealed at Jesus Baptism.
He was foretold Mark 1:2 As it is written in the Prophets: ] "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You." Malachi 3:1
He Introduces Jesus to the people. - "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Mark 1:1-8
He did no miracles, but just had a message of hope and salvation.
Surprisingly, even after Christ's death and resurrection, there were those who identified themselves with John the Baptist's ministry, but not with Christ's. In the book of Acts we are told of Paul's first meeting with the Ephesians: "There he found some disciples and asked them, `Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They answered, `No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.' So Paul asked, `Then what baptism did you receive?' `John's baptism,' they replied. Paul said, `John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.' On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:1-5). -scripturestudies
Jesus presented the truth of the Gospel and was rejected. Jesus is light: 1 John 1: 5 that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. John 12:46 I am come a light in the world that whosever believes in me should not abide in darkness. John 18:37 I can into the world so that I might bear witness of the truth.
But how does Christ enlighten every man that comes into the world? (1.) By his creating power he enlightens every man with the light of reason; that life which is the light of men is from him; all the discoveries and directions of reason, all the comfort it gives us, and all the beauty it puts upon us, are from Christ. (2.) By the publication of his gospel to all nations he does in effect enlighten every man. MH
All rational men "show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness" (Rom. 2:15).
http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/John/john_02.htm AW Pink
Light Defined
a. Light becomes a good illustration of both the “essence” and the “Trinity,”
persons of the Godhead.
b. Light is one in essence or substance, yet it is composed of three aspects:
(1) Actinic light or ultraviolet light is not seen nor experienced. This is
analogous to God the Father. (1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 1:5)
(2) Luminiferous light or visible light is both seen and experienced. This is
analogous to God the Son. (John 12:35, 36)
(3) Calorific light or inferred light is not seen but is experienced. This is
analogous to God the Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:2)
- The gospel is called light. (2 Cor. 4:3, 4; 2 Tim. 1:10; cf. Acts 13:47 and Isa. 49:6)
-. The evangelist is called a light. (“the tribes of Jacob,” Isa. 49:6, “Paul and Barnabas,” Acts. 13:47)
- “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14)
- Salvation brings the believer out of darkness into light, just as the planet earth was brought out of darkness into light by God. (Luke 1:79; 1 Pet. 2:9; cf. Col. 1:12-14;
Gen 1:3)
- Anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ becomes one of the “sons of light.”
(John 12:36; 1 Thess. 5:5; cf. “saints in the light,” Col 1:12)
- Believers in fellowship with God, filled with the Holy Spirit, are said to “walk in the light.” (1John 1:7; 2:8-10; Eph. 5:8b)
- Bible Doctrine resident in the souls of believers through study and the ministry of God the Holy Spirit, is portrayed as “the fruit of the light.” (Eph. 5:8-10, Psa. 119:105, 130; Prov. 6:23; cf. Psa. 36:9)
- An edification complex of the soul of each believer is constructed from the light of Bible doctrine. (Psa. 43:3; 119:130; Rom. 13:12, “the armor of light;” Eph. 5:8a)
- The mature believer reflects the light of Bible doctrine. (Matt. 5:14, 16; 2 Cor. 4:6)
E=mc2.
God chooses us to be witnesses about the light of Christ to those he places in our lives.
God created man with his light (the life of Christ), but when man sin, man's spirit died and turned dark.
"The same came for a witness." This defines the character of the preacher’s office. He is a "witness," and a witness is one who knows what he says and says what he knows. He deals not with speculations, he speaks not of his own opinions, but he testifies to what he knows to be the truth. - Pink
I am sent of God to be a witness to those he places in my life.
What is the message I will share?
When I only see the earthly world, I fear it, and am in the dark.
When I see Jesus and His projection of God, then I have hope and am enlightened about the supernatural purpose, power, and potential which brings me peace.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, [fn3] and His own [fn4] did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
He was in the flesh
John 5:31 - God and his works bear witness
Heb 1:2 God spoke through his son
I Cor 8:6: Creator of all things
He was the creator
He was not recognized.
He came to God's chosen people, but they did not accept him
Those who accept him and believe on who He is get the right to become "children of God"
John 3:5 Nicodemus
John 3:16 - receive God, be born of him
Gal 3:26 We are children of God Go by faith
Phil 2:10 - at the name of Jesus
Prov 3:5 - acknowledge
Who are "born of God"
Believers are the children of God by the special favour of adoption and the special grace of regeneration. They are in a sense homoiousioi — of a like nature (2 Pt. 1:4), and have the image of his perfections; but Christ is homousios — of the same nature, and is the express image of his person, and the Son of God by an eternal generation.MH
Why does the world not recognize Him? What causes blindness
- Selfish focus means they don't seek to please God, but only seek their own, and so they don't comprehend the truth that God communicates through His word or through His WORD, Jesus Christ.
He game to the land of Israel and the People did not accept him.
Believers are not restored by their physical will, can others restore them to God, but only as they die to self and submit to God are they born of God.
Believe in name vs in who he is. James 2:19 - demons believe in who he is
In what ways do I not recognize Jesus in my life?
These are areas where I do not die to my own physical desires.
My salvation is from dying to self and being born of God.
Being born of God is being spiritually born and growing to know and love God more each day.
How do I make sure I receive Jesus and submit in my daily life.
I die to my own aspirations daily and submit to his aspirations, calling, truth
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, [fn6] who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
Heb 4:13 - High priest can empathize with us
1 Peter 1:23 - born of corruptable seed
Job 19:25 For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth: And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God:
- Jesus was weary, thirsty, groaned, wept, thirsted, died, bled
- by being made flesh he allowed himself be made weak
Rev 19:13 Jesus is the word of God
Gal 4:4 God sent his son born of a woman
Is 40:5 the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all fesh shall see it together
- He was a conduit of God's glory to us - God's power, peace, purity, patience, passion for the lost.
- He was full of grace (forgiveness, love) and truth (God is to be honored, we dishonored Him, we must repent)
2Cr 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
Rom 8:3-5 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
2Cr 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
- what was the glory that was beheld?
_______
Matt 3:1-12 - John the Baptist
John cried out in public the news that he had like the old testament prophets had and people listened. He had unwavering convictions of the truth that he proclaimed.
Grace for grace: God gave grace in providing light to a darkened world, God gave grace in the Holy Spirit who made me to see that light so that though I was blind, now I can see
For the law was given through Moses: the law shows me my sin, and Moses was known as the one who had come closes to seeing God (only has back) and His glory.
but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ: Truth of the words of instruction, grace in the forgiveness and salvation
Christ is the only being born of the father. We are born of our father the devil John 8:44.
Word=God Became Flesh
He was NOT a spirit, aberration , or angel
he dwelt here temporarily as in a tent
He did not condemn sinners - had grace for them - and provided truth
Often when we dwell with others over time they see our weaknesses, however with Christ as they dwelt with him, they saw more of who God was.
As it was with his doctrine, the disciples knew the mysteries of it, while others had it under the veil of parables; so it was with his person, they saw the glory of his divinity, while others saw only the veil of his human nature. MH
God's unlimited power, goodness, purity is his glory.
He was full of grace, fully acceptable to his Father, and therefore qualified to intercede for us; and full of truth, fully apprized of the things he was to reveal, and therefore fit to instruct us. He had a fulness of knowledge and a fulness of compassion. mh
Fullness - completeness
Christ is who he is teaching about, Christ is more important
Christ was his predecessor (even though born after him)
Christ is the source of grace & truth
Christ is the only one who is of God and is best qualified to declare him
"My Successor is my Superior, for He was my Predecessor." JFB
a In knowing Jesus I learn the truth of God revealed as to who He is and how to love Him.
In knowing Jesus I receive the grace of God in His salvation, and grace of His revealing Himself to me (now I can see).
God as Spirit is very hard to grasp, but seeing Him work through Jesus Christ gives me an understanding of His character, and a model of how I can be a channel for God to man, and I give up my own power.
19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,” as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Elijah was sent to call the people of Israel to repent and turn from their selfish ways to God.
- John's ministry was growing and religious leaders took notice enough to send inquiry.
- John said he was not Christ, Elijah, Moses, but just an announcer of Christ.
Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:
John Baptist was himself a priest of the seed of Aaron, and therefore it was not fit that he should be examined by any but priests. It was prophesied concerning John’s ministry that it should purify the Sons of Levi ( Mal. 3:3 ), and therefore they were jealous of him and his reformation. (2.) They were of the Pharisees, proud, self-justiciaries, that thought they needed no repentance, and therefore could not bear one that made it his business to preach repentance. MH
Baptism - at that time it was a religious sign of purification. God baptized the earth with the flood, Moses & the people were described as baptized when passing through the red sea. Baptism was applied to gentiles when they became a Jewish proselyte to show they were cleansed from their sins.
The Dead Sea Scrolls also depict the baptism ritual as something practised by much of Jewry at that time. To this day Jews practice baptism for both male and female converts who immerse themselves in a ritual bath ( Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, 1991, page 625).
that prophet --announced in Deu 18:15 and thought to possibly be a reference to the Messiah.
Isa 40:3 A voice crying out in the wilderness. John answered their inquisition with scripture to give them a point of reference
Mat 11:11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Vs 23. He came to rectify the mistakes of people concerning the ways of God; it is certain that they are right ways, but the scribes and Pharisees, with their corrupt glosses upon the law, had made them crooked. MH
v24 Leaders were not the levites but religious political leaders interested in overthrowing Roman rule.
Matt 17:11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first [fn2] and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
John understood his only purpose was to prepare people to understand who Jesus was, and to train disciples to be prepared.
John provided an image of Christ by spreading the gospel to repent, having disciples, baptizing them when they repented. He knew he was only to announce the Christ.
If he disclaimed to be historical prophets or the Messiah, then they wanted to know his reason for baptizing and having disciples.
The pharisees thought to be able to speak and baptize, you had to be someone special in the eyes of the world, educated, venerated. If he was not a great prophet, and he was not sponsored by them, they wondered what right he had to be teaching and baptizing. ~JD
John did not look to have any name for himself. He taught out in the desert so that people who came really wanted to know the Christ.
John knew Jesus, but not that he was the Messiah until the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus at the Baptism. At that time John's message changed from a Malachi focus of judgement to an Isaiah focus of the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" ~JD
What do I hang on to of personal aspirations, fear, and lack of trust that keep me from being a voice for God about Jesus Christ?
Is my sole focus on letting others know to repent and follow Jesus?
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Day 2
-After his baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness where he was tempted by Satan, then returned to see John
- Meanwhile, John preached his new understanding of the Messiah, and who he was.
Luke 1:17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
Handel's Messiah - Behold the Lamb
- Just the day before this, the Pharisees had been asking if John was the Messiah, but never did recognize Christ.
Behold - pause, gaze, look upon, focus on, do not neglect
Genesis 22:7-8 - Abraham & Isaac - God will provide the lamb
Exodus 12:3-8 - People instructed to take a Lamb - Passover - Firstborn and without blemish
- Jesus is the Lamb of God - pure and spotless, meek, sacrificed, passover redemption from death (justifies), cleanses the world from their sin (sanctifies) Rom 6:14, removes the barrier between God and Man (redeemed),
Acts 19:4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
John 5:32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.
1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Rev 5:6-14 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, .... the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
- John the Baptist is the link between the old and new testament - JP
a lamb was to be pure without blemish to be a sacrifice for sin.
- the lamb gave it's life and it's blood provided temporal cleansing...whereas Christ brings eternal cleansing
-The lamb had huge significance in their worship and was seen as a way to restore their relatioship with God.
That Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God,which bespeaks him the great sacrifice, by which atonement is made for sin, and man reconciled to God. Of all the legal sacrifices he chooses to allude to the lambs that were offered, not only because a lamb is an emblem of meekness, and Christ must be led as a lamb to the slaughter ( Isa. 53:7 ), but with a special reference, [1.] To the daily sacrifice, which was offered every morning and evening continually, and that was always alamb ( Ex. 29:38 ), which was a type of Christ, as the everlasting propitiation, whose blood continually speaks. [2.] To the paschal lamb, the blood of which, being sprinkled upon the door-posts, secured the Israelites from the stroke of the destroying angel. Christ is our passover, 1 Co. 5:7 . He is the Lamb of God; he is appointed by him ( Rom. 3:25 ), he was devoted to him (ch. 17:19), and he was accepted with him; in him he was well pleased. The lot which fell on the goat that was to be offered for a sin-offering was called the Lord’s lot ( Lev. 16:8 , 9); so Christ, who was to make atonement for sin, is called the Lamb of God. (MH)
Before knowing Jesus was the Messiah, John had said, why should I baptize you, you should baptize me. But one he knew who Jesus was, his earlier message applied of "I am not worthy to loose his sandals.
John had been informed before the baptism by God that he would know the messiah by the Holy Spirit's presense at the baptism.
As I learn about Jesus I need to behold in awe and reverence His great work to overcome my great sin.
As I know Him more, I am to reveal what I know to those around me.
There is a great thread of truth in scripture that shows that Jesus was provided specifically as the payment for our sin.
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. w when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. [fn9] You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
- John kept teaching with his new found understanding, and kept pointing others to Jesus.
- Jesus did not seek out the disciples, but each was brought to him by others, starting with John the Baptist.
- The disciples sought to be a part of the promise for God to free Israel people from duress
Jesus always asked questions of those who approached him. He always listened first and then showed them to the truth. ie - John 20: 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” John 18: 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Luke 18:41 And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.”
- Andrew's strength was in introducing people to Jesus.
- Peter's strength came after penticost when he became the "rock" and would bring thousands to Christ through preaching.
- John's strength came at the end of his life when he wrote John, 1-3 John and Revelation that would bring people to Christ for the rest of time until Christ returns.
Jesus was attentive to those around him, and the fact that these 2 were following him.
As others 'what do you seek"? As an open question to find out how to show them love and meet their needs.
Christ recognized their interest and engaged them immediately.
Andrew was intentional in seeking his brother out and introducing him to Jesus. He knew Peter's interest would be in knowing the Messiah.
Andrew brought the boy with fish and loaves, he brought others to meet Jesus.
How do I introduce people to Jesus throughout my day?
How am I patient and attentive for people who are seeking Jesus?
How do i prepare myself to ask people good questions and listen to their needs?
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 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.” 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter [fn10] you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Day 5 going from Bethsaida where John was, to Galillee
Philip is called directly by Jesus.
Matt 10:3-6 Phillip part of Disciples
When Jesus needed to feed the five thousand (John 6:5-7) he rhetorically asked Philip for suggestions and Philip's answer was practical, if uninspired. Later when Philip had to take a message to Jesus (John 12:22) he asked Andrew to accompany him, perhaps indicating the awe which he felt in the presence of the Lord. He took an active part in the disciples' discussions with Jesus (John 14:8) but, like most of the disciples, was perhaps a bit slow in understanding what Jesus was telling them (John 14:9). (Theopedia)
BETHSAIDA - "house of fishing" (1) A city East of the Jordan, in Galilee where Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fishes (Mk 6:32 ff; Lk 9:10). There dwelt Philip, Andrew, Peter (Jn 1:44; 12:21), and perhaps also James and John. bible-history.com
Nathanael: bar-thol'-o-mu (Bartholomaios, i.e. "son of Tolmai or Tolmai"): One of the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13). There is no further reference to him in the New Testament. According to the "Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles" "Bartholomew was of the house of Naphtali. Now his name was formerly John, but our Lord changed it because of John the son of Zebedee, His beloved." Gelasius gives the tradition that Bartholomew brought the Hebrew gospel of Matthew to India. In the "Preaching of Bartholomew in the Oasis" (compare Budge, II, 90) he is referred to as preaching probably in the oasis of Al Bahnasa, and according to the "Preaching of Andrew and Bartholomew" he labored among the Parthians (Budge, II, 183). The "Martyrdom of Bartholomew" states that he was placed in a sack and cast into the sea. From the 9th century onward, Bartholomew has generally been identified with Nathanael, but this view has not been conclusively established. studylight.org
v 51 - refers back to Jacob fleeing from Esau. Jacob is in the desert sleeping. God brings a dream of a ladder to heaven - we all fall short of God's standard - Jesus is the perfect performance and the ladder - access to God. Angels ascending and descending - God is pouring out his grace on us through Christ.
Micah 5:2 - Messiah to come from Bethlehem.
John 7:41, 42, 52
"Behold an Israelite" - Jesus calls him a son of Jacob/Israel who was known for his deceit, and contrasts that with Nathaniel's integrity. Perhaps Nathaniel was meditating under the fig tree ( a common place for people to seek solitude) on Jacob, since then Jesus closes the conversation by talking about how Nathaniel will see angels ascending and descending on the son of man, like Jacob had seen in the desert.
Israelite - true spiritual believer
Jesus gives Nathaniel praise, for his good qualities of integrity. Guile = Deceipt = Jacob = to bait for fish. Jesus was calling him a true and sincere believer.
Jacobs name was changed to Israel
Rabbi's often used place under fig tree to get away for deeper study and meditation.
Nathaniel's name means "gift from God".
Nathaniel's response - can anything good come out of Nazareth - shows rejection - can show rejection of himself. Nazareth was not of much importance, and so why would Messiah come from there? John 21 - Nathaniel came form Cana, near Nazareth and similar in size. He likely did not feel significant because of this, and would not accept others.
May have been under the tree studying because he was not very accepting of others.
Philip - come and see - people who are facing self rejection - may need us to come along side to help them see the truth.
Jesus challenged those around him that he saw integrity in to follow him. I can also observe others and challenge them to follow him so they can find what they are seeking in life.
Others may reject Jesus because of their own insecurities, and so coming along side them to introduce them to Jesus can help overcome this.