The Gospel of John: John 1.35-42

Read and meditate on John 1.35, 36.
John the Baptist’s ministry was effective at several levels. Multitudes were baptized and instructed in repentance and righteousness. Powers-that-be were alerted to a new spiritual movement taking hold among the people. And two of those who heard John, and attached themselves to him, had their hearts prepared for an even greater calling in the Lord.

³⁵Again, the next day, John stood by with two
of his disciples. Jesus came in view,
³⁶and looking at Him as He walked, John cried,
“Behold, the Lamb of God!”

- John 1.35, 36

Reflect
1.  Apparently, some people who heard John preaching, and submitted to his baptism, stuck around to see if they could help in the work. They were described as “disciples” of John. The root word for disciple is learner. What do you suppose those disciples were learning from John? How did this help to prepare at least two of them for an even more demanding calling? Complete this prayer: I call myself Your disciple, Lord. Teach me today…

2.  In several accounts in the gospels, the disciples of Jesus are involved by twos. In our passage, the apostle John shows that, from the beginning, this pattern seems to have been part of what was involved in following Jesus. Why? What benefit can disciples expect from being linked with another disciple – or a few other disciples – as they follow Jesus? Lord, I want to help someone else follow You. Show me how…

3.  John the Baptist did not hesitate to point his disciples to the Lord Jesus. He seems to have understood already what he will declare explicitly in John 3.30. What sort of attitude does this indicate? Why is this attitude important for any who would be disciples of Jesus? How can I be more like John, Lord? How can I have a heart that…

4.  John’s message concerning Jesus was consistently the same: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” To which aspect of Jesus’ work does this point? What kinds of questions or thoughts would this have provoked in the minds of those who heard John? What does this suggest about what we need to include when we share the Good News of Jesus? Lord, help me to be alert today to any opportunity to…

5.  Discipleship will be another prominent theme in the Gospel of John. Right away he puts the word before us and suggests that we consider what such a calling might require. How would you explain to an unbelieving friend or co-worker what it means to be a disciple of Jesus? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“‘Again,’ says the Evangelist, ‘John stood and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.’” Christ says nothing; his messenger says it all. This is how it is with a bridegroom. He says nothing for a while to the bride but remains there in silence while someone shows him to the bride and others give her into his hands. She merely appears, and he only takes her for himself when he has received her from another who gives her to him. And when he receives her given to him in this way he treats her in such a way that she no longer remembers those who betrothed her. So it was with Christ. He came to join to himself the church. He said nothing but merely came. It was his friend, John [the Baptist], who put into his hand the bride’s right hand when by his teaching he gave the souls of men and women into his hand. And after Christ received them, he treated them in such a way that they no longer left to see John, who had committed them to him.” John Chrysostom (ca. 354-407 AD)

John understood that he was to prepare the way for Jesus. He sought nothing for himself – name, followers, acclaim – but only that as many as associated themselves with Him should know that Jesus is the One we must see and proclaim. Here is good counsel for pastors, church leaders, and all followers of Jesus. Explain.

Closing Prayer
Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
He turned the sea into dry land;
They went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him.
He rules by His power forever;
His eyes observe the nations;
Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves.
Selah
Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to be moved.

Psalm 66.5-9

Psalm 66.5-9 (Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
Great and awesome is our Savior in the works which He has done.
He the sea and river dried to let His people cross as one.
Then our joy was great to worship Him our mighty, sovereign One.

He the nations watches ever – all you rebels, humbled be;
Bless our God, all men and nations, praise His Name eternally!
He preserves our souls and He will keep His paths beneath our feet.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.