Those in the light, those who chose to believe in Jesus, will have the right to be children of God. In John's gospel, the word “believe” occurs more than 80 times. The word does not mean intellectual knowledge or a certainty that God exists. It is instead, confidence in his word, to be so convinced he speaks the truth and respond in obedience and in trust.
The gospel also shows God becoming man. By becoming man, God began his redemption of all creation. To prepare people for his coming, John the Baptist preached repentance and showed people who this God made man was. Many people thought John the Baptist was the Messiah. But he clearly denied this and said his role was to prepare the way for the Messiah. He knew what his position was with regard to God.
The Lamb of God
John the Baptist's description of Jesus as the “Lamb of God” foretold the role of Jesus. Jesus was to be the sacrifice to pay for the sins of all creation. With this, John the Baptist was saying redemption had started. It would happen and nothing could stop it.
Although God became man and God owns everything, the world could not recognize nor receive him.
Only those born of God can see his glory. God's glory is full of grace and truth. Those who receive him (take hold of him) are given the right to be his children. To take hold of Jesus is to possess him. This implies an action is required from the person. To receive Jesus is to reach out and take. It is a personal decision and action. Jesus will not come in unless invited. We must take hold of him so he will come to us.
Since Jesus is the Son, those who believe in him will also share the same rights Jesus has before the Father. Jesus is God. He is the Light who enlightens everyone. By enlightening everyone, he gives them the ability to see God.
Lord, may I see you as you are. Open my eyes so I can see you as the true God who takes away, not only the sin of the world, but more specifically, who takes away my sins. You are the one who frees me.
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Even at the beginning of his gospel, the author pointed to the death of Jesus. Jesus was the God who would die and rise again to save all creation. When Jesus approached John the Baptist, the Baptist pointed him out to his disciples. One thing to note here is while the other gospels mentioned the baptism of Jesus, John did not mention it in his gospel.
What are you looking for?
Two of the Baptist's disciples came to Jesus. These two were Andrew and the Beloved Disciple. As they approached Jesus, Jesus turned and saw them and asked, “What are you looking for?”
This question was not only directed to the disciples. It is directed to everyone, including you!
Indeed, “What are you looking for?” What do you want from Jesus? This is the time to tell him. If there is a void in your life, tell Jesus about this void. Only he can fill it. If you are distressed, tell Jesus how you feel. He is here, speak to him.
Everyone is looking for something to satisfy them. Years ago, I too searched for something that would give meaning to my life. Yet, nothing did, until I accepted Jesus and experienced the power of the Living God.
Jesus, your words are true. You ask me what I want. I want you Lord. You alone can give me life. |
Come, and See Jesus
The disciples wanted to know where he was staying. Jesus invited them to “Come, and see.”
Jesus also invites us to come and see him. This invitation welcomes us to experience him; to stay with him. In this chapter, the two disciples stayed with Jesus for the night. They learned where he lived. They talked to him. They saw him. They heard him speak. In short, they experienced him!
| Lord God, I constantly search for you. Do not hide yourself from me, but in your mercy, hear me. You are all I need. You are all I want. I am looking for you. May I hear you call me, inviting me to come and see you so I may truly know you. |
The First Disciples
The next day, Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus immediately renamed him Peter. Since this gospel was originally written in Greek, the name Peter is a translation of the Aramaic word Kephas which means Rock. By changing Simon's name, Jesus changed Simon's destiny. He was no longer Simon the fisherman. He was Simon the Rock. Jesus wanted Simon to be the foundation of his Church. Even at that time, before the start of his ministry, Jesus was building his Church. He was laying the foundation of his Church. The Church was part of the plan for redemption.
Further on, Jesus saw Philip. Of the first disciples, only Philip was personally called by Jesus. The others either approached Jesus or were brought to him.
Philip found Nathanael and told him that he had seen the Messiah. When Nathanael voiced his doubt, Philip replied, “Come and see.” These were the same words Jesus used to invite the first two disciples.
To experience Jesus, one has to come and see him. One must experience him. Faith is not based on intellectual knowledge. It is to be experienced. One must have a personal relationship with God for one's faith to be real.
When Nathanael came to Jesus, Jesus said about him “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael was surprised and asked how Jesus knew him. Jesus told Nathanael he saw him under the fig tree even before Philip called him. When Jesus said this, Nathanael immediately said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel!” With this, Nathanael believed Jesus and became his disciple.
Notice the play on words. Jesus called Nathanael an Israelite and Nathanael in turn called Jesus the King of Israel. An Israelite was professing his king.
To understand this, one must know a little history of the people of Israel. Jacob had twelve sons. God later changed Jacob's name to Israel. God promised to be with the descendants of Israel. When the descendants of Israel came back to the Promised Land, the land was divided among the descendants of ten sons and two grandsons of Israel. Each of these formed a tribe.
The descendants of one of the sons, Levi, were not given any portion of the land. They were called to live among the other tribes as priests.
Some time in history, the ten northern tribes separated from the two southern tribes. The northern tribes formed the kingdom of Israel and the two southern tribes formed the kingdom of Judah. The Jews are descendants of the tribe of Judah.
So Jesus did not only come for the descendants of Judah. He came for the descendants of Judah and his brothers, for all the children of Israel.
Jesus said, “Hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
By saying this, Jesus brought Nathanael back to the dream of Jacob. Early in his life, Jacob tricked his brother and was running away from him. As he was fleeing, he slept and had a dream. He saw a ladder from the earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending. With this, Jesus was saying he was the new Israel - the fulfillment of God's promise.
| Jesus, you are the King of Israel. May I follow you and live for you. |
