John 1:35–3735Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said*, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Two of John’s disciples saw and heard Jesus; they left John (they were his disciples) and followed Jesus. They must have recognized what John had been preaching: Jesus was the greater and John was the lesser. The disciples leaving John to follow Jesus was not an act of unfaithfulness to John, but truly an act of faithfulness to both John and Jesus. The very nature of John’s ministry and his hearts desire for all of his disciples was for them to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and to become His disciples. John knew that once Jesus came onto the scene, Jesus would become the greater and he would become the lesser. This was the goal for which John strove. John never tried to hang onto his disciples or his ministry for his own glory. The very nature of John’s ministry involved a handoff to the Savior of all who followed him.
John 1:38–4938And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said* to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39He said* to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
Without identifying Himself to them, the two disciples (just by hearing Him speak) recognized Jesus as a teacher. There is a two-fold statement being made in these verses. First, Jesus taught by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Second, when the spirit speaks, all recognize His authority, even those who do not follow Him. The wicked try to hide from Him and even try to convince themselves that they don’t believe in him, but all recognize Him. We see this when Jesus sailed with His disciples to Gerasenes (near Galilee) and was approached by the man possessed by a legion of demons; the demons recognized Jesus and called Him the Son of the most high God (Luke 8:27-28). We also see this when we are told that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth (Philippians 2:9-10).
John 1:40–4240One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He found* first his own brother Simon and said* to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
After being with Jesus for just one day, Andrew recognized Him as the Messiah.
Jesus once again demonstrates His deity in knowing Simon without being introduced. Jesus did not merely know who he was but He knew him; this is indicated by the way Jesus renamed Simon, Cephas (Peter). Before even speaking to him, Jesus knew that it was upon this man Cephas (Peter, which means rock) that He would build His church.
Matthew 16:18 (18) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This was not a lucky guess on Jesus’ part; this was not a hunch based upon Simon’s physical appearance; this was foreknowledge that only God Himself possesses. It is this same foreknowledge that God has regarding each one of His elect.
Ephesians 2:10 (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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