The Gospel of John: John 1.35-42

Read and meditate on John 1.39.
Jesus’ courtesy toward these strangers is striking. His words are gracious, welcoming, and portentous. Again, John continues strumming a chord that will recur throughout this gospel, and through all the ages of Christian history: “Come and see.”

                  ³⁹He replied, “I’ll take you there.
Now, come and see.” They followed Him and came
and saw where He was staying, and remained
there with Him for the day (it was about
the tenth hour).

- John 1.39

Reflect
1.  You and I might have responded to the disciples’ question by asking, “Who wants to know?” That is, we might like to be introduced to someone who had asked such a personal question. Jesus didn’t do this. Why not? Do you suppose the disciples wondered to themselves, “Why didn’t He ask my name?” Complete this prayer: Lord, You know all things. You have known me since before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1.4). You know that today…

2.  “Come and see.” This simple command applies to the life of discipleship at every level and stage of following Jesus. Explain. As I come to You today, Lord, I hope to see…

3.  Notice how John records the explicit obedience of those two disciples: “They came and saw…” Is he making a point? Did they see everything they might have seen? What did they see? But was that enough for this time? Explain. How can I help others want to come and see You, Jesus? Help me today to…

4.  John adds a new verb: “remained.” In the Greek, this is the verb meno. What is suggested by this “remaining”? How do you envision what was going on while these disciples “remained” with Jesus? This same verb occurs in John 15.4, although it is translated differently. Is John setting us up in chapter 1 for what Jesus will command us in chapter 15? Explain. Let me remain and abide with You today, Lord, so that…

5. John gives us a time check for the disciples’ stay with Jesus. The tenth hour was 4:00 in the afternoon. So what? Who cares what time it was? Or rather, why might we care to know the time? The number 10 indicates completion or perfection. Is John telling us something more than the time of day? Is he mentioning this because something about it being the tenth hour struck him as significant at the time? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“At once his disciples, who were present, after hearing his words, left John and hurried to go to Jesus about whom John testified. ‘When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?”’ He did not say this out of ignorance but rather in order to give them an occasion to trust him. They immediately called him ‘Rabbi’ and showed their profound intention, that is, that they had been led to Jesus for no other reason but the desire to obey him as a teacher.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD)

What is your intention in following Jesus? Are you merely looking for something for yourself? Or are you seeking Him, to remain with Him, to enjoy full and complete and perfect time with Him? What are you seeking from Jesus today?

Closing Prayer
O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16.5-11

Psalm 16.8-10, 11 (All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
You are ever with me, Lord; in You I shall not fall.
But rejoicing in Your Word, I abide within Your call.
  Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand;
  Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

Soon Your glory I shall see, for as Jesus rose again,
You will come to gather me to my home with You in heav’n.
  Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand;
  Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

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.