The Gospel of John: John 1.35-42

Read and meditate on John 1.35-42.
John’s purpose in this opening chapter is to focus the action on Jesus. He prepared us for the coming of Jesus in the prologue (vv. 1-18), then by the witness of John the Baptist (vv. 19-34). Now, with Jesus on the scene and announced, everything and everyone begins to revolve around Him. Jesus is the Centerpiece of human history.

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!” ³⁷The two beside
him heard him speak, and followed Jesus. ³⁸He,
on seeing them, inquired, “What do you seek?”
They answered, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where
do You live?” 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). ⁴⁰One of them, who had gone out
to hear John speak, and followed Jesus to
the place of His abode, was Andrew, who
was Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹First he found
his brother, then he said to him, “We’ve found
Messiah” (that is, Christ). ⁴²And then he took
him to where Jesus was, Who, when He looked
at him, declared, “Your name is Simon, son 
of Jonah; you shall Cephas be” (a stone,
that is).

- John 1.35-42

Reflect
1.  How can you see that all the action in this first chapter is designed to focus our attention on Jesus? How do the verbs emphasize this? Complete this prayer: Sometimes, Lord, I try to focus people on me rather than on You. Help me…

2.  It is significant that, in this our first introduction to Jesus, John does not focus on His message, but on Him. What do we learn about Jesus from John 1? What kind of Man is He? What about Him would make people want to follow Him? Let me see the glory in Your face, Lord (2 Cor. 4.6), so that…

3.  Let’s not fail to notice that Jesus was first revealed not to the scholars and power-brokers of Jewish religion, but to fishermen, ordinary working men with little or no education (cf. Acts 4.13). What kind of strategy for bringing Jesus to the world does this suggest? How would you apply this to your Personal Mission Field? Help me, Lord, to be alert to every opportunity to…

4.  We who have come to Jesus like Peter are being transformed by the Spirit of Jesus into the very image of Jesus (2 Cor. 3.12-18). In what ways do you see this happening in your life? I need to grow, Lord. I want to be more like You in…

5.  Has our approach to John’s gospel thus far opened your eyes to any new insights to Scripture and how to read and understand the Word of God? Explain. Bring your prayers from questions 1-4 together into a single prayer.

Summary
“Why does he change their names? He does this to show that it was he who gave the old covenant, that it was he who altered names, who called Abram ‘Abraham,’ and Sarai ‘Sarah’ and Jacob ‘Israel.’ To many he assigned names even from their birth, as with Isaac and Samson, and to those in Isaiah and Hosea. But to others, he gave them their names after they had been named by their parents, like those we have mentioned, as well as Joshua the son of Nun. It was also a custom of the ancients to give names from things, which in fact Leah did. By doing so, the parents have the appellation to remind them of the goodness of God, that a perpetual memory of the prophecy conveyed by the names may sound in the ears of those who receive it.” John Chrysostom (ca. 344-407 AD)

John has thus far described Jesus as Word of God, Light of life, Son of God, Lamb of God, Teacher, and Messiah. As he continues his story, he will revisit, enlarge upon, and further explain these titles, either directly or indirectly. He considered it important that we have as broad a perspective on Jesus as possible. Do you think we should try to do the same in our witness for the Lord? Explain.

Closing Prayer
Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me;
For I ampoor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am holy;
You are my God;
Save Your servant who trusts in You!
Be merciful to me, O Lord,
For I cry to You all day long.
Rejoice the soul of Your servant,
For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;
And attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me.
Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord;
Nor are there any works like Your works.
All nations whom You have made
Shall come and worship before You, O Lord,
And shall glorify Your name.
For You are great, and do wondrous things;
You alone are God.

Psalm 86.1-10

Psalm 86.1-9 (Andrews: Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven)
Lend me Your ear, O Lord and hear me;
I am afflicted and much in need!
Rescue my godly soul, be near me;
Save me, O God, all my crying heed!
Lord, be gracious to me, Lord, be gracious to me,
All day long I pray and plead.

Lift up my soul, fill me with gladness;
Lord You are good, You will soon forgive.
Show me abundant lovingkindness;
Let all who call on You ever live.
Lord, be gracious to me, Lord, be gracious to me,
Heed to my poor pleading give.

When in my trouble, Lord, I call You,
You answer me; there is none like You!
There are no works like Yours, and all whom
You have created shall worship You.
Lord, be gracious to me, Lord, be gracious to me,
All shall glory give to You!

T. M. Moore

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, can show you how Jesus is central to all aspects of life in the world – and beyond! Our course is free, and you can study at your own pace, watching videos and using the free materials provided.

We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

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.