35 “Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where abidest thou? He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day; it was about the tenth hour. One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ). He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter). On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip; and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” John 1:35-51.
QUESTIONS.
1. With whom was John the next day?
2. Whom did he see walking? What did he say of him?
3. What was the effect upon his two disciples?
4. What did Jesus do? What did he say to them? What inquiry did they make?
5. What was his reply? How did they respond to his invitation?
6. What was the name of one of these first disciples?
7. Whom did he at once seek for? What did he say to him? What did he do with him?
8. What did Jesus say to him?
9. What happened the next day?
10. Where did this fourth disciple live?
11. Whom did Philip find? What testimony did Philip bear to him?
12. What was Nathanael’s response? What was Philip’s reply?
13. With what salutation did Jesus greet Nathanael?
14. What question did Nathanael ask? What was the reply of Jesus?
15. To what confession of his faith did Nathanael then give utterance?
16. What inquiry did Jesus make in response? What assurance did He then give him?
17. What prophetic statement did He then make to him?
NOTES.
1. The work of John accomplished the right result,—his disciples heard him, but they followed Jesus. The great apostasy was caused by men winning disciples to themselves. Acts 20:30.
2. “In the calling of John and Andrew and Simon, of Philip and Nathanael, the foundation of the Christian church was laid. John directed two of his disciples to Christ. Then one of these, Andrew, finds his brother and brings him to the Saviour. Philip is then called, and he goes in search of Nathanael. These examples should teach us the importance of personal effort, or of making direct appeals to kindred, friends, and neighbors.” The testimony which brought both Simon and Nathanael to Jesus was, “We have found” him. This is the testimony which wins now.
3. “At the time when Philip called him, Nathanael had withdrawn to a quiet grove to meditate upon the announcement of John, and the prophecies concerning the Messiah. He prayed that if the one announced by John was the deliverer, it might be made known to him; and the Holy Spirit rested upon him with an overwhelming assurance that God had visited his people, and raised up a horn of salvation for them. Philip’s message seemed to Nathanael a direct answer to his prayer.”
4. “Like Nathanael, we need to study God’s word for ourselves, and pray for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. He who saw Nathanael under the fig tree, will see us in the secret places of prayer, if we seek him that we may know what is truth. Angels from the world of light will be near to those who in humility of heart pray for divine guidance.” “The tree has never grown which could conceal a soul from the eye of Jesus.”
Suggestions for Further Study.
1. Four new titles for Christ are mentioned in this lesson: Master (better, Teacher, R. V., margin), Messias, King of Israel, Son of man. What different ideas of the work of Christ are set forth in these titles?
2. Jesus “looked upon” Peter twice. Verse 42, R. V., and Luke 22:61. The two looks may be considered with profit.
3. What is the difference between Philip’s confession of Christ as “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph,” and Nathanael’s statement, “Thou art the Son of God”?
4. Note the new names and the new places introduced in this lesson.
5. See how readily these men recognized Jesus as the Son of God. Is not this the comment of Scripture upon the promise in Matt. 5:8?
