John 1:35-51 - Without Integrity, There is No Depth of Insight or Lasting Significance
Peter, the famous disciple and apostle of Christ, the rock of the early church, had a brother named Andrew. Before becoming a follower and apostle of Jesus Christ, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist. Some people ask the question of whether they were Jews. Yes, of course, they were Jews. In fact, The Baptist’s dad was one of the leaders in the Synagogue, Zechariah (Elizabeth’s husband). At the end of the Bible (in Revelation) we hear about the honor God gives to the people of faith (Revelation 20:4). But we hear particular honor and foundational recognition about the twelve sons of Jacob (the twelve tribes of Israel - Genesis 35) and the twelve apostles of the Lamb of God (Revelation 21:12-14).
I was asked last week if I knew who the twelfth Apostle of Christ is and I was a little surprised as I thought every Christian knew the answer to that question. It’s Mattias (Acts 1:12-26) - so yes, Paul is an apostle in the sense that he is clearly sent and ordained by God, but he didn’t meet the qualification of being with Jesus for His entire ministry and also witness the resurrection. Anyway, back to this passage in John. God is the One that cares about us - now and for eternity. What we do with the Lamb of God has eternal significance.
I want to encourage you this morning. In the coming days, God has a lot of work for us to do as churchmen and women. The future is incredibly bright, but God’s people have to get to work and we have to recognize that with our rights come Christian responsibility.
Every good Saskatchewan hockey coach drills it into their kids that rights require responsibility. You made the team, good for you. Now get to work! The Book of John makes clear where rights come from. They come not from men or the religious leaders or aristocrats who think they hold the ability to delegate rights. Our rights and our responsibilities come from our Creator, Jesus Christ. The Bible says that all who believe and accept the Word of God (Jesus), are given the right to become children of God (1:12). John the Baptist preached this as did the Apostles of Christ, upon whose shoulders we stand. But a right is quite useless if you don’t follow through with the responsibility that it requires.
Jesus is looking (searching like a Shepherd after a lost sheep) for men and women who hunger and thirst for righteousness. I suspect Andrew and Peter’s parents, like John the Baptist’s mom and dad, were like that. (By the way, have you ever noticed that Andrew and Peter’s dad was also named John (1:42) - Man, there are a lot of Johns in the first book of John - like people naming kids David in the 1970s…Jesus not only knows everything about us, but He knows everything about our moms and dads - and He still loves us!)
The disciples of Christ (and their parents) were flawed people like us. But righteous people, that hungered for the Messiah. Yes, you may say, but they were just lowly people in a distant province in the Roman Empire. Yes, but like you (in central Alberta, rural Virginia, downtown Singapore, borderland Russia, or hinterland Iran), they had questions for God. And God had answers for them. Seek Jesus Christ and He will answer you - more than that, He will give you new life.
So, are we seeking God? Or just seeking something decent to watch on Netflix? Are we showing our children and grandchildren hunger and thirst for righteousness? Or are we just mere chaff ready to be blown away by the wind? Yes, it’s okay to be anxious and uncertain (like his dad, Zechariah, John the Baptist had lots of uncertainty despite being one of the most committed and certain of all God’s prophets). We are men and women of responsibility, so we must encourage each other to follow God well.
God asked Andrew a question that goes to the heart of our integrity. It was this: What do you want? (1:38). That’s the first question Jesus Christ asks in the Book of John. Jesus is John’s friend and brother. They would do life together, and ministry together - through thick and thin. They traveled all over Judea. John was with Jesus right to the Cross, and then following the resurrection right through to the church's explosive growth. We see in this passage a sense of Jesus’s love and His kindness towards Andrew and the other man with him.
The early disciples were not even sure what to ask Jesus, so they asked Him where He was staying. Maybe what they were getting at was “Is it okay if we get to know you?” The resounding answer from Jesus is, “Yes! - come with me and see.” He would show them more than they could think or imagine. In fact, later on, Jesus would teach them how to pray and He’d explain to them what they should ask God is that their will be aligned with the Father’s will - their wants being the same desires that God seeks for His people (Matthew 6).
These first encounters with Jesus, as told by John, show what it was like to encounter Him. Once you met Jesus you could never be the same again. Jesus was full of unfailing love and faithfulness (1:14). So much so that in just one encounter Andrew knew that Jesus was the Messiah; likewise, Nathanael was immediately convinced Jesus was the Son of God - the King of Israel (2 Samuel 7:14 and John 1:40-51).
Jesus gives His people the Spirit of Christ. We have His unfailing love and faithfulness in us. With our right to be children of God, we have a responsibility to grow and to be capable teachers and makers of Christ's followers. Make that your desire, to be a capable disciple of Christ. Let’s be humble as we grow, but confident in our Savior’s power to do what only He can do.
To my kids, I say confidently that you are more than capable. To my friends, I say the same. I’m amazed at your giftings. You are incredibly smart and talented. Don’t let others hold you back. It is what Jesus thinks of you that matters. Be bold today. Desire God’s will for your life. Don’t get distracted by the allure of the world and false useless pursuits. By God’s grace, we will be given opportunity after opportunity to serve lead, and produce for God.
Let’s not miss the importance and the directness of Jesus' question for Andrew and shortly thereafter for Nathanael. What do you want? If you want God and His friendship and the abundance of His love and truth then ask Him whatever question you like today.
John the Baptist points out to his men the Lamb of God. The Lamb in turn asks what they want and invites them to come and see and follow Him for the adventure of all adventures. So, in this hectic and anxiety-filled election season here in America (and wherever you are), what do you want?
Jesus’ earthly ministry followed the holiness preaching of John the Baptist. Jesus was starting to assemble His core team. Jesus starts with the boys from Bethsaida (Andrew, Peter, and Philip) (1:44). Then he adds Nathanael. What about us, can Jesus count us as followers? I believe Jesus asks each of us the direct, meaningful, existential question that He asked the men in this passage, “what do you want?”
So, what do you want? Do we just want to be liked? Do we want to be virtue signalers, seeking that people believe we are good, yet strongly preferring that no one meddle in our love of darkness and greed? Or are you getting sick of sin and shame and dysfunction and are you ready to believe and accept Jesus and His forgiveness and the new life of growth and eternal adventure with God?
You may say, ‘Ya, ya, ya, Bible-thumber, I don’t need to hear your blabber.’ That’s fine - don’t hear my blabber. But please hear from Jesus. God knows. He knows what you really want. And He’s patiently waiting for you to tell Him. Many people truly want to be significant and to know that their lives mean something. We want to contribute and make a difference. Yet we feel so alone. We feel like no one cares what we want. In fact, we may feel like no one even recognizes our existence.
Jesus knows what you are going through. He knows everything about you and your family. And He loves you. Jesus through His entire ministry and ever since as He builds His eternal people cares deeply about each and every soul. Just think of those He interacted with in Scripture. The women a the well. The woman in the crowd who needed healing for her bleeding. Pilate, Herod, and those in the Sanhedrin. Those who challenged Jesus with tough questions that He silenced with truth. His mom, Mary, at the wedding Feast of Cana. Peter and John at the Transfiguration. Judas dipping bread at the Last Supper. The sick man let down through the roof by his buddies. The disciples when they were worried about capsizing their little boat in the storm. At every point and in every story for every person, Jesus was direct. Everyone gets a fair shot with Jesus. It's the same question for each of us.
Jesus asks, “What do you want?” Each person will ultimately be judged by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). And each of us will eventually get what we want here in this short life. If we want Jesus and a relationship with Him then that is what we will get. And if we want to reject Him and choose the things of this world, then that is what we get. But ya can’t have two masters - just one.
Jesus asks because it matters. Maybe you don’t know what you want. That’s okay. Just be honest. Like Andrew and the early disciples just be honest with Jesus and ask Him to show you something about Himself. Maybe like Solomon, you seek the Golden Goose - the gift that keeps on giving. Maybe you seek understanding and wisdom. Good for you, that’s a noble pursuit. The Bible says that Jesus will give it to you - in fact, Jesus will give you wisdom without rebuke (James 1).
Consider making a list of the things you really want and tell them to Jesus. To be cancer-free, to be part of a strong, good team. To be part of a healthy God-honoring church. To be filled with joy, peace, and goodness. To use your God-given talents joyfully and freely for Jesus so that He says at the Return that He’s pleased with you for your faith and your deeds. To have unity in the church. To understand God’s will and to teach and disciple others well. To be a great husband and a loving dad. To be a good mom. To be kind and to forgive the way God wants. To build and contribute to a nation that honors God and thrives because of it. To be part of an ecumenical movement that gives incredible glory to God. Whatever it is, whatever you want, let God know today. Maybe you just want more patience - so do I. Maybe you want mended relationships with your siblings or friends you’ve lost. Tell Jesus.
What do you want? Tell God this morning. Big or small. Tell Him, but be real. Be honest. Jesus says “Come and see!” God seeks to show us how much He loves us and to answer every question that we have. He seeks to fellowship with us and show us how to live the good life. But God requires fidelity. We are to be men and women of undivided loyalty to God. Those with divided loyalty are as useless as a platitude in a polar vortex. Yes, let’s live the Good Life. But let’s do so as humble servants of the King of kings and Lord of lord, unashamedly.
Lord Jesus, we want you. Please help us to honor you today. Amen.
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