Andrew Tells Simon Peter He Has Found the Messiahby CBPepper
1:40John 1:40
One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
One of the two who heard John point to Jesus as the Lamb of God and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, while the other unnamed follower was John the son of Zebedee. This took place at their first meeting and conference with Jesus beside the Jordan when He had returned there at the time John declared Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. After spending time with Jesus and hearing His words, Andrew was convinced He was the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, and eagerly hurried away to find his brother Simon to tell him and bring him to Jesus. The verse shows how the foundation of the Christian church was laid by individual effort, as John directed two of his disciples to Christ, Andrew found his brother and brought him to Christ, followed by the call of Philip and the search for Nathanael. This teaches all who know Christ that sharing Him with relatives, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances by direct personal effort is the natural desire of the converted and a work every follower can do, young or old, and must not be left to the minister alone.
The Two Who Followed
One of the two who heard John the Baptist point to Jesus as the Lamb of God and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. The other, unnamed disciple was John, the son of Zebedee. The setting was the first meeting and conference with Jesus beside the Jordan when Jesus had returned to Jordan at the time John declared Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Andrew was among the first men Jesus chose as disciples at the beginning of His earthly work, together with John, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael. They were called from humble occupations to accompany Him, receive His teachings, witness His miracles, and make them known to the world. This choosing marks the point when Jesus entered upon the great work of His life.
After spending time with Jesus and hearing His words, Andrew was moved by His teaching and became convinced He was the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He eagerly hurried away to find his brother Simon to tell him and bring him to Jesus. In contrast, John stayed silent at that meeting, sitting absorbed in thought and profound contemplation of wondrous themes. From that first following he stayed with Jesus as an eager, attentive listener longing for love and sympathy and companionship and still nearer intimacy, which he obtained.
John, with his brother James, was among the first group who left all for His service, gladly forsaking home and friends to be with Him. They walked and talked with Him and were with Him in the privacy of the home and in public assemblies. He quieted their fears, delivered them from danger, relieved their sufferings, comforted their grief, and with patience and tenderness taught them till their hearts were linked with His. In ardor of love they longed to be nearest to Him in His kingdom, with John taking his place next to the Saviour at every possible opportunity. The disciples later shared what they had seen and heard at the Jordan, and after Jesus' miracle at Cana they had their first opportunity to acknowledge their faith in Him. Their testimony kindled hope that God had raised up a deliverer for His people.
Sharing Christ Personally
Andrew was one of the two who heard John speak of Jesus and followed Him, the other being John, and having become His disciple he soon brought his brother Simon to Him. This is the pattern of a follower sharing the discovery of Jesus with someone close to him, a work every follower can do, young or old. John directed two of his disciples to Christ, Andrew found his brother and brought him to Christ, and this was followed by the call of Philip and the search for Nathanael. In this the foundation of the Christian church was laid by individual effort, showing how one person's direct effort can lead another to the Saviour.
This teaches all followers of Christ the importance of personal effort in making direct appeals to relatives, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to come to the Saviour. Those who know Christ must not leave all the work to the minister nor selfishly enjoy the benefits of grace while making no effort for the salvation of those out of Christ, for in the vineyard there is work for all to do. The example of Andrew with the other newly called disciples shows that sharing the Saviour with others is the natural desire of the converted.
Unselfish, interested, faithful workers share largely of grace here and reward hereafter. Faith is called into exercise by good works, and courage and hope grow with working faith, while those who do nothing have no bright and living experience. Faith increases and the divine life advances when engaging in the work God gives.
One of the two who heard John point to Jesus as the Lamb of God and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, while the other unnamed follower was John the son of Zebedee. This took place at their first meeting and conference with Jesus beside the Jordan when He had returned there at the time John declared Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. After spending time with Jesus and hearing His words, Andrew was convinced He was the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, and eagerly hurried away to find his brother Simon to tell him and bring him to Jesus. The verse shows how the foundation of the Christian church was laid by individual effort, as John directed two of his disciples to Christ, Andrew found his brother and brought him to Christ, followed by the call of Philip and the search for Nathanael. This teaches all who know Christ that sharing Him with relatives, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances by direct personal effort is the natural desire of the converted and a work every follower can do, young or old, and must not be left to the minister alone.
The Two Who Followed
One of the two who heard John the Baptist point to Jesus as the Lamb of God and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. The other, unnamed disciple was John, the son of Zebedee. The setting was the first meeting and conference with Jesus beside the Jordan when Jesus had returned to Jordan at the time John declared Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Andrew was among the first men Jesus chose as disciples at the beginning of His earthly work, together with John, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael. They were called from humble occupations to accompany Him, receive His teachings, witness His miracles, and make them known to the world. This choosing marks the point when Jesus entered upon the great work of His life.
After spending time with Jesus and hearing His words, Andrew was moved by His teaching and became convinced He was the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He eagerly hurried away to find his brother Simon to tell him and bring him to Jesus. In contrast, John stayed silent at that meeting, sitting absorbed in thought and profound contemplation of wondrous themes. From that first following he stayed with Jesus as an eager, attentive listener longing for love and sympathy and companionship and still nearer intimacy, which he obtained.
John, with his brother James, was among the first group who left all for His service, gladly forsaking home and friends to be with Him. They walked and talked with Him and were with Him in the privacy of the home and in public assemblies. He quieted their fears, delivered them from danger, relieved their sufferings, comforted their grief, and with patience and tenderness taught them till their hearts were linked with His. In ardor of love they longed to be nearest to Him in His kingdom, with John taking his place next to the Saviour at every possible opportunity. The disciples later shared what they had seen and heard at the Jordan, and after Jesus' miracle at Cana they had their first opportunity to acknowledge their faith in Him. Their testimony kindled hope that God had raised up a deliverer for His people.
Sharing Christ Personally
Andrew was one of the two who heard John speak of Jesus and followed Him, the other being John, and having become His disciple he soon brought his brother Simon to Him. This is the pattern of a follower sharing the discovery of Jesus with someone close to him, a work every follower can do, young or old. John directed two of his disciples to Christ, Andrew found his brother and brought him to Christ, and this was followed by the call of Philip and the search for Nathanael. In this the foundation of the Christian church was laid by individual effort, showing how one person's direct effort can lead another to the Saviour.
This teaches all followers of Christ the importance of personal effort in making direct appeals to relatives, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to come to the Saviour. Those who know Christ must not leave all the work to the minister nor selfishly enjoy the benefits of grace while making no effort for the salvation of those out of Christ, for in the vineyard there is work for all to do. The example of Andrew with the other newly called disciples shows that sharing the Saviour with others is the natural desire of the converted.
Unselfish, interested, faithful workers share largely of grace here and reward hereafter. Faith is called into exercise by good works, and courage and hope grow with working faith, while those who do nothing have no bright and living experience. Faith increases and the divine life advances when engaging in the work God gives.