Spreading the Word John 1:35-51
Study No. 4
John 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara (Bethany) beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John 1:35-51
John 1:35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
Notice whose disciples these are … John’s. When you think about, or imagine the kind of ministry that John the Baptist had, what kinds of pictures come to mind? Generally we think about his dress and eating habits and where he came from. (Came out of the wilderness preaching, dressed in a camel skin, eating locusts and wild honey.) But, to be fair let’s try to round out the picture. Here’s what we know about John the Baptist:
1. We know John was born of very Godly Jewish parents … Zacharias and Elizabeth.
2. Jewish customs, practices and beliefs are ‘kosher’. (that is, clean; physically and ceremonially)
3. We would have every reason to believe that John was raised to be a clean, obedient boy.
4. It likely that John had taken the ‘Nazarite’ vow, judging by his practices, his parents, his Jewish heritage and the nature of his mission.
So we can erase any images we may have had about his perhaps being crude and dirty.
He was however, bold in his presentation. Let’s have a look at a sample of his ministry.
1. It was widely accepted. Mt 11:12 "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
This statement of Jesus is a comparison of persons who literally storm a kingdom to take it over by shear numbers with those who were coming to hear John and Jesus. People literally ‘thronged’ them in massive numbers. Mt 3:5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him,
:6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins
2. It was straightforward, explicit and powerful - Luke 3:7-15
36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
* Notice what is missing here: Apostle John does not mention that John baptized Jesus.
* Is this the first time that John the Baptist has used the phrase ‘Lamb of God’? (see v29)
37 ¶ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?"
Is there anything significant in the title they impose upon Jesus (Rabbi)? It is equivalent to the title ‘Doctor’ or Reverend. Jesus forbade His followers from ever using these titles. (Matt 23:9-12)
Is Jesus question to them for the purpose of gathering some information from them, or do you suppose Jesus already knew the answer?
* Jesus invites us to lay open our hearts and minds to Him
* He inclines himself … His heart to us. He is ready to hear and to answer
* Disciples of Jesus would do well to be ‘Christlike’ in this regard.
39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour - 4 pm).
Andrew and Simon ‘find’ Christ (v40 – 43)
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Where is Bethsaida? On the North shore of the Sea of Galilee. How far is Bethsaida from Bethany? About 110 miles (180 Km)
Peter and Andrew, Philip (and others) heard of John the Baptist, came to him, repented of their sins, were baptised and continued to listen to John preach. Peter and Andrew were fishermen from Galilee. It appears that hearing John the Baptist was more important than livelihood. Their hunger for truth regarding Christ … puts us to shame(?) It would be some months later that Jesus, finding these two brothers back at work, borrows their boat to use as His ‘pulpit’, performs a fishing miracle … then calls these men to drop this occupation permanently in exchange for a calling to ministry.
* God calls. (Romans 11:29)
The power of ‘Word of Mouth’ testimony.
Philip:
1. Was familiar with scripture
2. Was expectantly watching for Messiah.
3. Possibly (more like ‘probably’) was familiar with John’s preaching.
4. He is ‘called’ by Jesus. (Matt. 22:14)
5. He recognises Jesus as the Messiah and believed (puts his trust in him).
6. With conviction he shares this news with a friend.
45-51 Heaven has been opened and Jesus is the Way! (Jacob’s ladder)
John 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara (Bethany) beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John 1:35-51
John 1:35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
Notice whose disciples these are … John’s. When you think about, or imagine the kind of ministry that John the Baptist had, what kinds of pictures come to mind? Generally we think about his dress and eating habits and where he came from. (Came out of the wilderness preaching, dressed in a camel skin, eating locusts and wild honey.) But, to be fair let’s try to round out the picture. Here’s what we know about John the Baptist:
1. We know John was born of very Godly Jewish parents … Zacharias and Elizabeth.
2. Jewish customs, practices and beliefs are ‘kosher’. (that is, clean; physically and ceremonially)
3. We would have every reason to believe that John was raised to be a clean, obedient boy.
4. It likely that John had taken the ‘Nazarite’ vow, judging by his practices, his parents, his Jewish heritage and the nature of his mission.
So we can erase any images we may have had about his perhaps being crude and dirty.
He was however, bold in his presentation. Let’s have a look at a sample of his ministry.
1. It was widely accepted. Mt 11:12 "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
This statement of Jesus is a comparison of persons who literally storm a kingdom to take it over by shear numbers with those who were coming to hear John and Jesus. People literally ‘thronged’ them in massive numbers. Mt 3:5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him,
:6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins
2. It was straightforward, explicit and powerful - Luke 3:7-15
36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"
* Notice what is missing here: Apostle John does not mention that John baptized Jesus.
* Is this the first time that John the Baptist has used the phrase ‘Lamb of God’? (see v29)
37 ¶ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?"
Is there anything significant in the title they impose upon Jesus (Rabbi)? It is equivalent to the title ‘Doctor’ or Reverend. Jesus forbade His followers from ever using these titles. (Matt 23:9-12)
Is Jesus question to them for the purpose of gathering some information from them, or do you suppose Jesus already knew the answer?
* Jesus invites us to lay open our hearts and minds to Him
* He inclines himself … His heart to us. He is ready to hear and to answer
* Disciples of Jesus would do well to be ‘Christlike’ in this regard.
39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour - 4 pm).
Andrew and Simon ‘find’ Christ (v40 – 43)
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Where is Bethsaida? On the North shore of the Sea of Galilee. How far is Bethsaida from Bethany? About 110 miles (180 Km)
Peter and Andrew, Philip (and others) heard of John the Baptist, came to him, repented of their sins, were baptised and continued to listen to John preach. Peter and Andrew were fishermen from Galilee. It appears that hearing John the Baptist was more important than livelihood. Their hunger for truth regarding Christ … puts us to shame(?) It would be some months later that Jesus, finding these two brothers back at work, borrows their boat to use as His ‘pulpit’, performs a fishing miracle … then calls these men to drop this occupation permanently in exchange for a calling to ministry.
* God calls. (Romans 11:29)
The power of ‘Word of Mouth’ testimony.
Philip:
1. Was familiar with scripture
2. Was expectantly watching for Messiah.
3. Possibly (more like ‘probably’) was familiar with John’s preaching.
4. He is ‘called’ by Jesus. (Matt. 22:14)
5. He recognises Jesus as the Messiah and believed (puts his trust in him).
6. With conviction he shares this news with a friend.
45-51 Heaven has been opened and Jesus is the Way! (Jacob’s ladder)