John 1:35-51, Gospel Bridges (The Right Approach, 1)

Esther’s uncle Mordecai told her that if she was not willing to stand for her people, God would bring deliverance through someone else and Esther’s house would perish (Esther 4:14).  In terms of the gospel, all the elect will be saved.  But will God be able to use us?  Will we be faithful, available, and useful?  If we want to consider this question, we would do well to look at our Savior.

Let’s review John’s gospel.  It was written so that people would believe and have life in Christ (Jn. 20:31).  Some didn’t recognize Him; some recognized Him but didn’t receive Him; but many did receive Him (John 1:10-12).  We are at the point in John where we see Christ effectively pulling together those initial followers: two of John’s disciples (v37, including Andrew, v40 and perhaps John the son of Zebedee), Peter (v40), Philip (v43), and Nathanael (v49).  This is before their call to full-time discipleship ministry that came later when they were fishing.  Thus, as we read this story, we must ask, why did they believe?

·       They believed because they were influenced by someone they respected (1:35,40-42,45).  Note three human sources of these early relationships with Jesus: common associates (1:35-37; John the Baptist pointed these to Christ), common kinship (1:41-42; Andrew told his brother Peter about Jesus), and common friendship (1:44-45; Nathanael was apparently a friend of Philip).  Note some important words:

o   Andrew found Peter first (v41).

o   Andrew found Peter, Jesus found Philip, and Philip found Nathanael (1:41,43,45).  “Found” implies seeking.  The initiative must be on the one who is already a disciple.

o   Andrew brought Peter (v42).  It is as if Andrew had to overcome some obstacle or hesitancy on Peter’s part.

·       They believed because they were drawn by Christ’s interest in them (1:38f,42f,47f).  We see this in at least three ways:

o   Jesus cared about their desires.  In v38 He asked, “What do you want?”  Interesting: these are the first words of Jesus recorded by John. 

And as Christ has presented himself to the disciples, for the express purpose that they might come to him, so now, when they come, he gently encourages and exhorts them: for he does not wait until they first address him but asks, ‘What do you seek?’  This kind of gracious invitation, which was once made to two persons, now belongs to all.  We ought not therefore to fear that Christ will withdraw from us, or refuse to us easy access, provided that he sees us desirous to come to him; but, on the contrary, he will stretch out his hand to assist our endeavors. (John Calvin)