Daily Devotions
John
Personally convinced too
Text: John 1:35-42
PERSONALLY CONVINCED TOO
The disciples of John followed their heart as they sought out Jesus. They had heard John their master preach about Jesus. They had heard him say that He was the Son of God. They had heard John say repeatedly that Jesus was far greater than he was.
They decided to check out for themselves the truth of what John preached. They asked Jesus politely where He was staying. They were in fact asking if they could spend some time to talk with Him in the privacy of His home.
Jesus replied and 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).”
John 1:39
A CLEAR RECOLLECTION OF AN IMPORTANT PERSONAL EVENT
There are certain events in life that are never forgotten. The two disciples of John went to the home of Jesus and “remained with Him that day”. What an unforgettable day that must have been. The hour of the day was even remembered. It was “about the tenth hour”. There was no magic about that particular hour. The equivalent to that tenth hour would be four o’clock in the evening for the typical Jewish day began at six in the morning.
To remain with Jesus for a whole evening – what an unforgettable event that must have been. Who were these two disciples that their interview with Jesus was remembered in such a personal and vivid manner?
IDENTIFICATION OF THE TWO DISCIPLES
One of the disciples was clearly named. Let us consider the text carefully.
“One of the two who heard John speak,
and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him,
‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated,
the Christ).”
John 1:40-41
Who was the other disciple? Why was he not named? And our guess is that this was none other than John the Apostle. Who else would have added little remarks like the phrase, “the tenth hour”? It would have made no sense to the casual reader, unless he reads it with understanding that the interview with Jesus was so significant, that even the time of seeing Jesus was remembered! John, in his usual humble way, hid himself behind Andrew. It was enough to describe what Andrew did. His conviction was not personal. It represented a conviction that both of them had.
The two disciples of John came away from their interview with Jesus fully convinced that He was indeed the Messiah. John the Baptizer had been right all along. Jesus was all that John had proclaimed Him to be. They now shared their teacher’s conviction. What should they do next?
BEARING WITNESS IS A NATURAL THING TO DO
You can imagine the sense of excitement and joy that must have filled the hearts of the two disciples of John. Andrew headed out to see his brother. He could barely control himself as he blurted out what he had learned.
“We have found the Messiah.”
John 1:41
Andrew didn’t stop there. He did not want Peter to merely believe what he said. He wanted Simon his brother to see Jesus for himself.
“And he brought him to Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said,
‘You are Simon the son of Jonah.
You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated,
A Stone).”
John 1:42
What an astonishing visit that must have been for Peter! First, he is dragged to Jesus by his excited brother, Andrew. He complies and he follows him.
Next, he is astonished that Jesus knew him. To call him, “Simon, son of Jonah” was expected. Andrew might have told him that he had a brother. He might have asked Jesus permission to bring Simon along to see Him.
What was truly awe-inspiring was that Jesus seemed to be able to see right through him. And what did Jesus see? He saw the strength that was in him. He called him “Cephas” (Aramaic word for “stone”. The name “Peter” was the Greek form with the same meaning).
Who had the right to call another person by a new name? Who but the Messiah, as Andrew had said! What a day that must have been for these group of men! What joy must have filled their hearts as they met Jesus and became fully convinced that He was the Messiah!
JESUS THE MESSIAH
How many people had bothered to check out what John had said concerning Jesus? Apparently, not too many people at all. Many heard John preach about the Messiah. John bore bold testimony concerning Jesus. But only a small handful of people actually took the trouble to check out for themselves what John had proclaimed.
Andrew and John were among the first people to follow Jesus. The reality of their faith in Jesus caused them to share their faith with others. How could anyone not share their faith and conviction, unless that faith was not very real or deep in the first place! Have you ever shared with anyone your faith in Jesus as the Christ?