Read John 1:43-46

“Come And See”

Philip is another apostle, like Andrew, of whom we know very little. Matthew, Mark, and Luke simply include him in the list of the apostles with no further information. Only John gives us additional details about this man.

From John’s gospel, we learn that Philip was from Bethsaida, the same city Peter and Andrew called home (John 1:44). Philip is involved in other events later in the book, but let’s focus today on what Philip did here in this short passage.

Jesus said to Philip, “Follow Me” (John 1:43). We see no hesitation from this disciple; in fact, much like Andrew, we see an eagerness from Philip to get others on board. The very first thing he did was find Nathanael, and he 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” (John 1:45).

Philip was familiar with both Moses’ writings and the prophecies concerning the Messiah. No doubt he had heard the rumors of this man from Nazareth, and when he encountered Him, he took hold of the opportunity to follow the Christ. Yet, Philip was not selfish with this information. He wanted others to join him in this journey of discipleship.

His friend Nathanael was not impressed. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). What was Philip’s response? He did not try to convince Nathanael that Nazareth could produce good things. He did not berate his friend for being prejudiced. He did not even try to convince him that Jesus was who he claimed, or who John preached. He wanted Nathanael to discover for himself Jesus’ identity. Philip said, “Come and see” (John 1:46).

Christianity is a personal religion. Jews are born Jews, but Christians are born again by choice. It involves personal investigation into the facts, personal faith in the promises of God, personal commitment to the cause. No one can be a Christian for you. You stand or fall on your own choices, and it all starts with the invitation to “come and see.”

Have you investigated the claims of Jesus? If not, take Philip’s challenge, and “come and see.”

Read John 1:35-42

“He Brought Him To Jesus”

Some of the apostles play a major role in the gospel accounts. We are told a number of things about the “inner circle” apostles Peter, James, and John. We know the nefarious part that Judas Iscariot played. And yet there are other apostles of whom we know very little. One of those is Andrew, Peter’s brother.

We learn from the first chapter of John’s gospel that Andrew was one of John the Immerser’s disciples or learners. It is thought by many that the second, unnamed disciple is none other than the inspired penman of the gospel account himself, John.

After hearing John the Immerser praise Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), Andrew and the other disciple leave their teacher and begin following the Messiah. They followed Him to where He was staying and remained with Him the rest of that day, no doubt learning many things from their new Rabbi or Teacher.

Andrew was very excited about what Jesus taught him and was eager to let others know about Him. The first person Andrew thought to tell was his brother, Simon Peter. “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:41-42).

If you have read much of the gospel accounts and the book of Acts, you know the important role Peter played in the establishment of the Lord’s kingdom, His church. What if Andrew never thought to tell his brother about Jesus though?

Who have you brought to Jesus? You never know the impact someone else will have in the kingdom until they are invited to learn about the King of Kings. Do not think for a moment that your closest friends, your neighbors, perhaps even your own brother, cannot be used by God for His glory. As we learn more about Peter in the New Testament, we see that he is often brash and acts before he thinks. As his brother, Andrew knew well Peter’s attitude and personality. But that did not stop him from inviting his brother to meet the Messiah. “He brought him to Jesus.”

Reach out to someone today. Introduce them to the Christ. Bring them to Jesus.

Read John 3:22-36

Humility Leads To Obedient Faith

John’s disciples were concerned. They had heard what their teacher said about the Christ, but then Jesus arrived on the scene and started to become more popular than John. “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” (John 3:26). Many have attributed the reaction of John’s disciples to an attitude of jealousy.

John’s reaction was quite different, however. He never claimed to be the Christ; rather, he denied it when directly asked (John 3:27-28; 1:19-20). The departure of his students did not bother him; neither did the growing crowds that Jesus attracted. John recognized that it was all a part of God’s plan. “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27).

One of the greatest displays of humility in the Scriptures is found in John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” We must take on this attitude in our lives. When we commit to God’s will, we should see an increase of Christ in our lives and a decrease of our own desires. The apostle Paul preached a presentation of our bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” and that we should be “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). At some point, we must realize that it is not about “me”; it is about Him!

It is about “the bridegroom’s voice” (John 3:29), not ours. It is about “His testimony” (John 3:32-33). “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all” (John 3:31). Jesus has the authority, but do we exalt Him as the one with authority in our lives?

Far too many pay lip service to God, saying they believe in the Son but denying that claim with their behavior. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Compare that verse in other translations, and you will see that it is an obedient faith under consideration; the phrase “does not believe” (NKJV) is translated “does not obey” (ESV, NASB) or “obeyeth not” (ASV). Do you believe? Do you obey?

Read John 1:6-8, 19-28

“Who Are You?”

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John” (John 1:6) Those words by the apostle John introduce another John, know as “the Baptist,” “the Baptizer,” or “the Immerser.” He was the forerunner prophesied by Malachi, born about six months prior to Jesus. The apostle makes it clear that John was not himself “the Light,” but was sent “to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe” (John 1:7).

When word of John’s activities reached Jerusalem, the religious elite wanted to find out more. They asked him, “Who are you?” (John 1:19). John did not want to mislead anyone. He did not want them to think that he was the promised Messiah, and promptly stated, “I am not the Christ” (John 1:20). The Jews then asked if he was Elijah. They believed Elijah himself would return before the Messiah, misunderstanding the prophecy that spoke of one with the spirit of Elijah who would come first (Malachi 4:5). Again, John answered in the negative.

The priests and Levites then asked, “Are you the Prophet?” (John 1:21). This was really nothing more than asking him again if he was the Christ, which he had already denied. Moses had spoken of “a Prophet like me…Him you shall hear” (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). This was a prophecy of the Messiah; the priests and Levites were perhaps trying to trip John up in his answers, much like many news reporters who reword their questions in an attempt to confuse their subjects, trying to get them to contradict themselves.

John would not fall for their trap and again denies that he is the Christ, or “the Prophet.” His questioners press him for an answer. “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” (John 1:22). John answers not with his own words, but the inspired words of God given through Isaiah: “I am ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord”’” (John 1:23; cf. Isaiah 40:3).

When someone asks you, “Who are you?”, could you respond with Scripture? What Scriptures best describe you? We are not prophesied forerunners like John, but we should still be able to see the Lord working in our lives through the Word.