35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

John 1:35-42 (ESV)

John and Jesus

From these accounts, it doesn’t seem like John and Jesus had much interaction. Yet I can only guess that, being cousins, they knew each other and had maybe even been childhood friends. John surely would have noticed Jesus was different – if anything, by never sinning. It was at Jesus’ baptism (yesterday) that it became crystal clear that Jesus was the Messiah. 

Transition

At least two of John’s disciples heard John call out that Jesus was the Messiah. They knew John was there to point to the Messiah and was not himself the Messiah. They transitioned from following John to following Jesus for the following reason: Why keep following the sign when you can follow the real thing?

“What are you seeking?” Jesus asked. He probably wanted them to think it through. The question is also for us and anyone who wants to come to Jesus.

Andrew

What is unique about Andrew is something that we should strive for. When he discovered the Messiah, he immediately told his brother, Simon, and brought him to Jesus. We should be  telling others about Jesus and doing our part to bring them to Him. Of course the Spirit does the work of drawing and enabling them to believe – the “heavy lifting”.

Peter

Jesus, on the spot, changed Somon’s name to Peter, which means rock. We learn later that he had faith like a rock and Jesus would build His church on it (Matthew 16:18). His faith was not perfect but it was indeed active. For an interesting take on Jesus from the disciples perspective, see The Chosen movie.

<- Reflection ->

• Are you telling people about Jesus and introducing them to Him?
• What is there to fear? We just faithfully do our part. 
• Maybe you are trying to do the Holy Spirit’s part?