Lesser Known/Notable Disciples
Do you know who Whitcomb Judson is? He patented the first slide fastener in 1893. We call it the zipper. We may not remember the name of the man who invented the zipper, but will most likely use that invention everyday. We may not always remember the names of these disciples but we can practice their qualities and virtues they are examples of.
Many in the entertainment/sports industry will say to those looking up to them do not do what I do or don’t consider me a role model. This type of attitude is dangerous within the church body. Instead of being a network of life-giving relationships, the church becomes a collection of isolated individuals seeking self-fulfillment, Jesus intended His disciples to be examples others could follow.
John 1:35-42 (John the Baptist)
Just prior to these verses, John the Baptist identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. And the very next day two disciples leave him to follow Jesus. John’s role diminishes so that the ministry of Jesus can be established. God uses many people to accomplish his will. It requires cooperation with others to fulfill our ministries effectively. The focus must always be on Jesus.
The second day, John the Baptist preached to a crowd and bore witness Of Jesus Christ, on the third day he stood with “his two disciples” The Baptist knew how to minister to the multitudes, but also was available to provide personal attention to those who needed it.
Later we see that one of these two was Andrew. The other was never named, but the writer of the gospel, typically only referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” Like John the Baptist he wanted to step out of the spotlight so the ministry of Jesus could be the focus. It seems logical that the apostle John is the unnamed disciple. In the lists of the 12 disciples, his name occurs as one of the first four, and is consistent with order of calling by Jesus. Matthew 10:2-4, Luke 6:14-16.
Verse 36, as they stood there the Baptist was looking upon Jesus, it was not just a glancing awareness, but an intentional observation that saw with perception even recognition. The day before Jesus was walking toward him when John’s ministry was at its peak. This day Jesus was walking away from him, not in abandonment but as a shift in the strategy of God. John had accomplished his role and fulfilled it well. The people now knew who Jesus was. John proclaimed “behold the Lamb of God” the same testimony as the day before but for a different audience and purpose. He was preparing the hearts of his disciples.
What John had declared convinced the two disciples to follow Jesus. Because of his unselfish actions several people found Jesus that day. Notice the number of times in the coming scriptures “found” is used: Andrew and the unnamed disciple “found” Jesus, Andrew “found” Simon, Jesus “found” Philip, Philip “found” Jesus, Philip “found” Nathaniel.
John 1:38, 39 (Andrew)
It is evident that Jesus knew the two were behind him, it says He turned around and “saw” Andrew and John.
The first words spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of John are directed at the two.” What do you seek” (What are you searching for?) Notice He did not ask “Whom do you seek?” but “what.” It is a question to be answered by everyone coming to Jesus.
The two responded with a somewhat puzzling response “Where are you staying? They may have been unsure how to respond or if he had a school with which they could become associated, as teachers in that day often did.
Jesus did not respond with rebuke or annoyance He simply said “Come and See”. It was an invitation to those who wanted uninterrupted time with Jesus. The invitation still stands today.
The reference to the tenth hour is probably 4 O’clock in the afternoon. The Jews tracked time by counting hours from sunrise to sunset. 6am to 6pm. The conversation made such an impact on John’s life that he recalled the exact hour.
John 1:40, 41
John identifies one of the two as Andrew. He is further identified as “Simon Peter’s brother” Andrew first found Simon before doing anything else; he wanted his brother to share in the discovery he had made. Some see this to men that he found his brother first before the other disciple could find his brother, James. The declaration of John the Baptist, the daylong visit convinced them beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was “the Christ” (Greek equivalent “Messiah”).
John 1:42
Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. This is evangelism. It is also the natural order of evangelism. We lead people to the same place we received help. The place to start is our family and friends. From this point on when Andrew is highlighted he is bringing someone to Jesus. This time Peter, When the multitude remained with Jesus and is in need of food Andrew brings the lad with the loaves and the fish (6:8, 9), Andrew along with Philip who brings the Greeks to Jesus, we will discuss later (12:22)
Jesus beheld Peter, Intentionally Jesus looked him over, He looked deep within, Jesus knew who he was and knew his name. There is no indication that there had been a previous meeting. The Holy Spirit can and does reveal what is in the hearts of humanity.
Jesus’ statement is prophecy of what Simon would become not necessarily what he was. Before Simon ever spoke a word, Jesus accepted him as a disciple, and gave him a new name, character, and a new work to fulfill. He would be a “stone” Aramaic “Cephas” Greek “Petros”. A large rock or boulder of the type used to mark the boundaries of property.
John 1:43-46 (Philip)
Verse 43 begins the last of four consecutive days; Jesus desires to go to Galilee which would require crossing over the Jordan and traveling west. It may be while making preparations He seeks out Philip and calls him to discipleship. The Greek meaning of the name Philip is “Lover of Horses”. This is a different Phillip than the deacon evangelist in Acts 6 and 8.
In the account of feeding the 5000 Philip focused on the cost, Andrew found the lad (6:5-9) On another occasion Philip was slow to understand that one purpose of the mission pf Jesus was to reveal the Father (14:8,9) He did tend to examine things from a natural perspective. Part of the process of discipleship is to move the eyes of the disciple form the human perspective to God’s perspective. This is an ongoing process. If the disciple is confident he or she has reached that goal, the change in perspective is not complete.
Philip immediately found Nathaniel. His declaration showed his enthusiasm. Philip refereed to Jesus as the “son of Joseph” this was not a denial of the virgin birth, but according to the custom of the day, identified Jesus his native home and his legal father who was Joseph. The point is that just as Jesus Found Philip, Philip found Nathaniel. The enthusiasm of Philip was met by skepticism. “Can there be any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip imitated Jesus when he said to Nathaniel “Come and See”. Some things a person just has to experience to be convinced.
John 12:20-22
Nathaniel was not the only one that Philip brought to Jesus. “Certain Greeks” these were not Greek speaking Jews, but were Gentiles who came from the Greek speaking world. They were uncircumcised who had given up worshipping other gods to worship the one true God of Israel. They were allowed as far as the court of the Gentiles in the temple complex. It may be that they approached Philip because he was from their area or he just looked approachable.
“Sir we wish to see Jesus” indicted they wanted a personal interview to learn more about Him. They enlisted the help of an intermediary since they did not know if Jesus would see them or not.
They’re request opens a twofold question. Would He accept a meeting with the Greeks? What would his response be especially if the meeting was held in the temple area? The first is easily answered because of Jesus’ attitude of acceptance. He stated that He had “other sheep” (10:16) his focus was on the person not the national heritage or racial identity. The second is a little more difficult in that the Jews were looking for anything that would give them cause to confront Jesus (12; 19).
After Philip consulted Andrew the two of them approached Jesus with the request. An example of an excellent approach in any situation. It reveals that cooperation is needed to accomplish the difficult task of evangelism and discipleship.
John 1:46-51 (Nathaniel)
Nathaniel was skeptical about the assertion by Philip that the Messiah was from Nazareth. Perhaps he objected to Him coming from such a lowly origin, as did the Jews. Or that His understanding was that neither the anticipated Prophet nor Messiah would come out of Galilee. This would indicate that Nathaniel was a student of scriptures but he misunderstood them.
Nathaniel agreed to go and when Jesus saw him approaching declared he was a true “Israelite”. And had “no deceit”. He had a visible integrity.
The original meaning of deceit or guile is “bait for fishing” the idea that something is not what it seems to be or a snare.
Previously Jesus knew Simon’s name, now he knows Nathaniel’s character. Even people of integrity and high morals still need a Savior.
Jesus’ description hits the mark and sort of surprised Nathaniel. “How do you know me?” or “From where do you know me?” “Have we met before?” He may have thought Philip had told him more about him than he desired. Jesus quickly cleared it up “before Philip ever approached him he saw him “under the fig tree”. In tradition fig trees were places where master teachers often discussed the Scriptures with students or studied in the good shade they provided. For this reason some believe Nathaniel was a scribe or rabbi. Jesus was communicating that He actually “saw” him before Philip called on him. Jesus knows those who believe and those who refuse to. He also knows the past of those who follow Him but calls them anyway. It is possible that Jesus even heard Nathaniel disparage His hometown and accepted him anyway.
Nathaniel was convinced at this point as he declared “Rabbi, you are the son of God” Jesus responded with a rhetorical question and with that a personal promise to Nathaniel of greater things to come. There would be works that revealed a greater power than the ability to see beyond his physical location, and they would be numerous. Three years later Nathaniel was one of seven disciples that saw the risen Lord by the sea of Tiberias. (21:2).
Faith must be based on more than what we see in terms of miracles. It must be based on the person of Jesus Christ, not just His performance or our own. God is not looking for perfect people to become His disciples. He is looking for people willing to be made perfect (whole or complete). We do no have to have everything in our lives lined up with God’s expectations to answer the call of discipleship. It is a process. Our destination is heaven, the journey is a lifetime of discipleship and is just important as the destination. The journey prepares us for the destination.
