THE ANDREW FACOR

 

John 1:35-42

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”  37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

 

1.      The background here is that Jesus had just before this incident had been baptised in the Jordan by John.  They had seen the dove and heard the voice of Father.  The next day John was by the Jordan with two of his disciples.  These were young men who had attached themselves to be taught and serve John as apprentices.  To be a disciple means to be a follower, student or learner of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.  You listen and pattern your life after them. 

2.      When John saw Jesus he said, Behold the Lamb of God.  John was saying look the Messiah.  This meant that the Messiah, who would bring forgiveness through His sacrifice had come in living form.  This is God with a face, the pure, holy, spotless, stainless, and free from sin individual.  This person standing here is the perfect representation of God.  This is a person with the character, nature, and essence of God.  Now the fact that John said it this verified and authenticated what was spoken.

3.      When the two disciples heard this, they left John and followed Jesus.  This meant they did not miss the spiritual signals.  Did you know God sends all kinds of spiritual signals?  Let me illustrate.  God spoke directly to Noah and Abraham.  An angel came to Gideon, Hannah, and Mary.  David used the Urim and Thummin which were black and white stones which in the way they were thrown indicated yes or no to the will of God.  God used Isaiah, Nathan, and prophets to speak to David, and Hezekiah.  A burning bush got a hold of Moses attention.  A dream got Joseph attention about Jesus.  A vision spoke to John and Ezekiel.  The word or law spoke to Josiah and Nehemiah.  Prayer spoke to Daniel.  Jesus himself spoke to Paul.  In this incident it was John said that got their attention.  Don’t miss the signals God sends.  Today it is primarily through prayer, devotions, and the preaching of the word that most information and signals come.  Could also be authority figures and circumstances as well.

 

38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”  They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”  39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

 

1.      Jesus is walking along, and he asks them,” What do you want?”  I mean you have these two guys invading His personal space.  So, it was natural to ask what they wanted.   They then responded by calling Him Rabbi or teacher.  Currently, they did not recognize who he was but by saying this and by asking where he was staying, they were saying, “We want to hear what you have to say and learn more about you.”  They heard what John said, they were tuning into the spiritual signals now it was time to go further and learn more.

2.      Jesus replied, “and you will see.”  This was Jesus’ way of saying okay boys I will talk with you and share with you what you need to know.  Jesus who knew who He was and now he was going to share it with them. 

3.      They went saw where He was staying, and they spent the day with him till about four in the afternoon.  We are not sure what Jesus shared with them.  Here is what we do know, they heard what John said, they recognized he was a teacher or rabbi, they wanted to learn more, they spent the day getting to know him, what he believed, taught and how he lived.  This was an introductory meeting. 

 

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

 

1.       Now we are introduced to one of the two of John disciples and his name is Andrew.  He was Simon Peter’s brother.  Andrew heard what John said, he followed Jesus.  In Gospel days to follow Jesus meant.  It has four meanings. 

 

a.      Pick up your cross.  Forsake all.  Be willing to give up all. 

b.      Count the cost before you make your decision.  Weight the pros and cons.  Do a thorough thought analysis.  Think it through.

c.      Means to repent, change your mind, and make a 180 degree turn to God.

d.      Follow His example, imitate Him and make a radical decision to forsake all for Him.  It like the old chorus said, “Though no go with me still I will follow, no turning back, no turning back.”

 

2.      The result of that day with Jesus is Andrew goes and finds his brother Simon and tells him.  We have found the Messiah in Hebrew or the Christ in Greek.  He is the one we have been looking and waiting for.  That is the pattern of what we do.  We find Christ and then we tell others in our world about who and what we have found.  We love them enough to bring them to Jesus.  In our world today we think it is media that will do all the work but 95% of all who come to Christ come through personal one to one contact that Andrew showed us today.  Love people enough to tell them.  If they don’t receive then look at the encounter as an opportunity to sow seed.  You job is tell others and invite.  It is the job of the Holy Spirit to convict and convince.

3.      The Holy Spirit does it three ways.  He shows people what sin is and that they are sinners.  He reveals that there is judgment waiting or a time of accountability. A Hell to shun and heaven to gain.  He then reveals that they can be righteous.  Right with God and each other.  That there is love acceptance and forgiveness. 

 

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter.

 

1.      Jesus then looks at Peter and sees Him not as he is but what he shall become.  His was Simon the Son of John and brother of Andrew but he will be called Cephas which is Aramaic for stone, rock, or cornerstone.  His name was changed by Jesus.  Jesus would call Him the rock on which the church would be built.  It means people like Him the church would be built.  His zeal, determination, passion, and humanity.  Peter was as human as possible and despite all his faults God could use Him because He saw his heart. 

2.      Jesus sees us the same way.  He sees our heart.  He sees what He can make us to be.  We need to let Him do it.  Be mouldable, willing, obedient, faithful, and yielding.  Grow in the grace and knowledge in Him.  Remember you are work in progress.  You will not be complete until Christ comes for you either through the rapture or death.  Look at yourself as a Gideon, a mighty person of valor.  Remember you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood a holy nation and a unique individual.  Like Peter you will make mistakes, have doubts, and be rash but remember God sees what you are becoming so be patient with yourself and others.  By the way the other disciple was John the brother of James the sons of Zebedee.