Jesus Says Come and See

What are you looking for?

Commentary on John 1:35-51

Gennifer Benjamin Brooks

This text is normally considered a recounting of the call of the first disciples by Jesus. However, the pericope actually begins with a continuation of John’s testimonial about Jesus’ messianic identity. According to this gospel report, this is the third day, and the action of the text has moved in time to the second day following John’s questioning by the priests and Levites about the identity of the Messiah. The focus of this text is located in the action of Jesus.

Here, John is not the one whose movement is captured; instead, while John looks on, Jesus has taken center stage. Standing on the sidelines, John points to Jesus, thereby shifting the center of attention from himself. “Look, here is the Lamb of God,” says John. This is a definitive statement about Jesus’ messianic identity that opens the door to his recognition and engagement by the people. It makes the claim that the Johannine congregation needed to hear.

John’s declaration impels two of his disciples to leave him and instead begin to follow Jesus. But in doing so, they have no clear idea of what they desire from him. The text relates clearly their inability to name the impetus that leads them to follow Jesus. Unlike the record in the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus does not call the disciples; instead, the disciples are drawn to Jesus because of John’s declaration. This action speaks to the importance of letting others know about Jesus, as it may serve as an invitation for the hearers to discover Jesus for themselves and decide to follow him.

There are nuances to this story of Jesus’ first disciples that are instructive for our position as preachers of the gospel and our requirement to call others to Christ. The text records that although two disciples of John followed Jesus, only one of the two took the message forward. This speaks to the reality that must be accepted by every preacher of the gospel, that not all those who hear the message of Christ will decide to follow him. As Christians, and perhaps especially as preachers, we must be willing to proclaim Christ without consideration as to whether the message will be fruitful in the hearts of the hearers.

In the text, Andrew, who hears John’s declaration and follows Jesus, goes and finds his brother Simon and testifies to him about his belief that Jesus is the Messiah. Simon hears and is convicted and allows Andrew to bring him to Jesus. Once in Jesus’ presence, Simon is further convicted about Jesus’ messianic identity, perhaps because Jesus immediately claims him and names him Peter. It speaks to Jesus’ ability to see each individual for who the person is.

It is interesting that John moves the action on a day-by-day basis. Whether or not the events reported occurred at daily intervals is not particularly significant, but the continued call of disciples with the addition of Philip, who then invites Nathanael by a detailed testimonial of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah, resembles the earlier description of the call and acceptance of Simon Peter.

Another common element is the questioning by the disciples that occurs during the process of their acceptance and their decision to become disciples of Jesus. It should be a reminder to the preacher/pastor that while it is natural for persons who are in the process of considering becoming disciples of Jesus Christ to have questions connected with their decision. Even those who have already accepted Christ as Savior come to each gathering of the people with questions of faith. And while one’s pastoral commitment may inspire one to try to provide answers for the people, it is unlikely that even the most committed pastor/preacher can respond definitively to all questions.

Jesus himself did not provide answers to all the questions asked by these first disciples, and in fact, he challenged them about the source of their belief. John’s account of the call of the first disciples differs from the Synoptic accounts, and while this may present a challenge for those who wish to maintain a position of biblical inerrancy, it may be of greater value to one’s Christian identity and witness to consider the question of one’s own belief, its source, and what sustains it. In other words, while Jesus asked those first disciples what they were looking for as they made the decision to follow him as the Messiah, that same question may be asked of Christians today.

What are you looking for when you decide to become a member of the Christian church? What are you looking for when you join the fellowship of believers and participate in worship? What are you looking for in your life as a person of faith? These are questions that must be addressed as the Christian church in the Western world not only ceases to grow but also continues to lose members as they are disillusioned by the inadequacy or the impotence of the church to stand for justice and witness for truth in the world for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus invited those first disciples to “come and see,” and the text says that they not only came and saw where Jesus was staying but that, having seen, they stayed with him. John’s testimony about Jesus had started the ball rolling, and the ones who heard and believed and joined Jesus on his journey did not keep what they saw and heard and learned from him for themselves. They passed it on and set the example for all who, across the centuries, have done the same, even to this present age. Despite all the challenges to seeing Jesus in the overwhelming situations we face nationally and globally, as Christians, we see by faith, not by sight, and our call is to testify to the love of God in Christ, who as Messiah bought our salvation.