Scripture
By Brother Doug Smith
Lesson text: John 1:29-42
At Jesus’ baptism, John the Baptist declared him the Messiah. At this time God gave John a sign to show him that Jesus was truly sent from God. John and Jesus grew up together as cousins. But it wasn’t until his baptism that he understood Jesus to be the Messiah. John the Baptist job was to point people to Jesus the long awaited Messiah.
These new disciples used several names for Jesus; the Lamb of God, Rabbi, the Messiah, the Son of God, and the King of Israel. Their appreciation for Jesus grew, although they would not fully understand until three years later. One of the two disciples was Andrew. When the two disciples begin to follow Jesus, He asked them “ What seek ye?” Andrew accepted John the Baptist testimony about Jesus and immediately went to tell his brother Simon.
Mathew 4:18-22, refers to Jesus calling of his first disciples, Peter and Andrew, to leave their fishing business and become fishers of men. James, his brother John, along with Peter and Andrew were the first disciples Jesus called to work with Him. Mark: 1:14-20 refers to Jesus calling of these disciples Simon, Andrew, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry at Galilee. Luke:5:1-11 describes the miraculous catch of fish and the call of the first three disciples including Peter. In Revelation:5:6-14, Jesus Christ is being pictured as both a lion (symbolizing his authority and power) and a lamb (symbolizing his submission to God’s will).
Synopsis
By Sister Charlene Armstrong
Here we find ourselves in the scriptures unveiling one of the most amazing and fascinating scenes of the lives of two of the most critical and instrumental figures in the establishment of God’s earthly kingdom, Jesus Christ the Messiah and John the Baptist. John the Baptist often has been called a forerunner for Jesus, quite a different and unusual one at that. Identified in scripture as one who wore the clothing of camel’s hair, a leather belt and whose diet consisted of locust and wild honey. He is the one in whom God chose to announce the coming of His Son. This is just like God to chose those whom society would deem unusable,
As John was on assignment baptizing people in the Jordan River he drew much attention to himself from the religious leaders. They questioned his motives and some even called him the Messiah. John quickly let them know he was not the Messiah, but was a voice crying out in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord. John was clear about his assignment, because it wasn’t to draw attention to himself, but to draw attention to the one coming after him, whose sandal strap he wasn’t worthy to untie. Just as we are not called to measure the number of followers we have, but to rejoice in those to whom we point towards Jesus Christ.
While John was baptizing people, Jesus himself approached him and He in turn voiced those infamous words in (vs 29) “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” Truly this was a revelation by the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus as the Lamb of God. We can find throughout scriptures references to Jesus as the lamb; as in Exodus 12 we see the Passover lamb whose blood was used to protect Israel, and in Genesis 22 Abraham used the lamb as a sacrifice instead of his son Isaac. The same can be said of those who believe in Christ, that God gave His son as a blood sacrifice for our sins. After the announcement of Jesus and the descending of the Spirit upon Him it was clear who He was and prompted the two disciples of John, to make a wise decision to follow Jesus.
Practical Application
By Elder Janice Hall
John proclaimed Jesus not as a great teacher or a great example, but as the sacrifice for sin. John summarized the greatest work of Jesus. The Apostle John records who were the first five people called to follow Jesus. John and Andrew were the initial two people called to be disciples by Christ (John 1:35-39). Then came Peter, also called Simon, followed by Phillip, then Nathaniel (vs.40-45).
Jesus taught and trained His disciples by allowing them to live with Him. Jesus invited John and Andrew to be a part of His daily life. The author reiterates throughout the lesson, the needed attributes of the first disciples, that we must possess today. Those examples are, to be obedient to Christ, show a spiritual hunger and to possess a passion to tell others about Christ.
We are challenged daily in our walk with Christ, but are to be reminded that being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, means to learn from Him and remain close to Him. These characteristics are the core of true discipleship. They were essential then and are even more necessary for all followers today. Christ’s disciples learned by listening carefully to His teachings. Prayerfully, we can glean from today’s lesson and continue to be consistent and eager to tell all that we meet about our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
