Following Jesus 10

Following Jesus refers to being a disciple of Jesus. Being a disciple of Jesus entails following Jesus’ leading and learning from His teaching in order to take upon oneself, by God’s enablement, Jesus’ character.

We began our quest by looking at the character of Simon Peter. The second disciple we examine is Andrew. 

Three facts about the disciple Andrew. Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother. He also was a native of Bethsaida (John 1:44). Andrew was part of the intimate four: Peter, Andrew, James and John (Mark 13:3). However, he was never part of the intimate three: Peter, James and John. 

John’s Gospel gives us the only detailed information about Andrew. Three incidents in the life of the disciple Andrew that the Apostle John records tell us a lot about him. Perhaps during this quest you will see a lot of yourself in a disciple named Andrew. What is the first quality we see in John’s Gospel about Andrew? 

First, Andrew was a humble man. John 1:35-42 says, “The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 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?” 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. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 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). 

Andrew was a godly individual. He had been a disciple of John the Baptist. In fact, it was to Andrew and probably John, the Son of Zebedee, that John the Baptist said “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:36). The Apostle John even recalled the exact hour they stayed with Jesus: the tenth hour (John 1:39). 

What is it they believed? That Jesus was the Lamb of God, as spoken by John the Baptist. This statement by John the Baptist meant that Jesus was the innocent lamb who would suffer vicariously for sinners (John 1:29; 36; Acts 8:32; I Peter 1:19). Jesus was the only one identified as the Lamb belonging to God the Father and coming from God the Father. 

What kind of response did this announcement by John the Baptist produce within the souls and behavior of these two disciples? Andrew and John followed Jesus. Vs. 37. This involved, even at this initial point in their relationship with Jesus, a total commitment and a recognition from God that Jesus was not only a teacher to follow but also the Messiah God who is to be worshiped. 

This discipleship would also entail participation in salvation (Mark 10:17; Luke 9:61–62; Jn. 8:12; Rev. 14:4), and suffering (Mt. 8:19–20; Mk. 8:34; Jn. 12:25–26). This remains true to this day. 

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