◆“The First Disciples” (John 1:35–42) December 14, 2025

Chapter 1 of the Gospel according to John is recorded in chronological order. Beginning in verse 15, we are told that John the Baptist introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” Verse 29 says, “The next day,” followed again by “the next day” in verse 35 and once more in verse 43. Then, in chapter 2, verse 1, we read, “On the third day.”

The passage we read today takes place on the third day after John the Baptist appeared publicly. What happened on that day? John did not point Jesus out publicly, but rather to his disciples. And it was on that day that Jesus called His first disciples.

John pointed directly to Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This was not a roundabout expression like the one in verse 15—“He who comes after me is greater than I.” John clearly declared that this man is the one who takes away the sin of the world—that is, the Messiah.

Reading this, we cannot help but recognize John the Baptist as a true witness. The word “witness” is a legal term. It refers to testimony given in a courtroom. A witness is not someone who performs for attention. A witness does not speak in a way that draws the spotlight to himself. Rather, a witness simply tells the truth as it is.

No one should say, “That witness was such a good speaker.” Whether the witness speaks well or not is irrelevant. What matters is telling the truth.

The same is true of our testimony. There are many works of God’s grace—miraculous healings, unexpected encounters that change the course of one’s life, and countless other blessings. But the purpose of testimony is not to highlight what happened to a particular person or to suggest that something happened because that person had great faith. What matters is that people come to know God’s existence, power, and grace.

Those who testify should pray that the spotlight does not fall on themselves, but that God alone receives the glory.

Now, through John the Baptist’s testimony, two of his disciples went to Jesus. One of them is identified as Andrew. But who was the other? Why is his name not recorded? Since he was among the first disciples, wouldn’t it make sense to include his name?

Without a doubt, the other disciple was John himself—the author of this Gospel.

The two had already sensed something about Jesus. Perhaps they felt it would be too presumptuous to approach Him directly. The text says they followed Jesus, but they did not speak to Him. They neither expected nor anticipated being addressed. And yet, they could not help but follow Him. Something compelled them—most likely a desire to know this man more deeply.

Jesus noticed them. Not merely that they were there, but the thoughts and longings of their hearts. And He asked them, “What are you seeking?”

They replied, “Rabbi, where are You staying?” This was actually a customary phrase used by those who wished to become a disciple. In those days, a rabbi would not invite someone to become his disciple. Instead, the aspiring disciple would ask, “Rabbi, where are You staying?”

There were only two possible responses. One was, “What does that have to do with Me?”—which meant no, you will not become My disciple. The other was, “Come, and you will see,” which meant yes.

Jesus perceived their sincere desire to know Him more deeply and said, in effect, “I will make you My disciples.”

The Gospel tells us that it was the tenth hour. What time was that? There are two possibilities. According to Roman timekeeping, it would have been 10 a.m. According to Jewish timekeeping, which counts from 6 a.m., it would have been 4 p.m.

We can only speculate, but I believe it was around 4 p.m. Mornings were busy, and it seems more natural that these events unfolded later in the day. It would also be a reasonable time to ask, “Where are You staying?”

If so, Jesus and the two disciples likely spent the entire night talking. Surely Jesus explained the Messianic prophecies from the Old Testament. At first, they may have thought, “Perhaps…” They may even have doubted their teacher John’s words. But eventually, they became convinced that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

At that moment, their lives were completely changed. Their concerns shifted from daily matters—what to do, how to work—to an overwhelming desire to tell others, “We have found the Messiah.” They could not help but share the news.

Andrew told his brother Simon. Andrew became an evangelist. Simon, who loved novelty and excitement, was curious—perhaps skeptical, perhaps even teasing Andrew. Yet he immediately went to see Jesus, which fits his somewhat impulsive personality.

Simon would later show this impulsiveness again and again. But when Jesus saw him, He did not say, “You are a frivolous man.” Verse 42 says Jesus looked at him intently. What kind of gaze was it? A gentle gaze that saw into the depths of his heart—a truly divine gaze.

And Jesus said, “You are Simon, son of John. You shall be called Cephas (which means Peter).”

Simon, son of John—both the man he was, impulsive and prone to grand gestures, and the man Jesus fully knew. Jesus acknowledged all of that. And yet, He said something astonishing: “You shall be called Cephas”—a rock.

A rock—firm and unshakable. Andrew and John may have exchanged glances. “That doesn’t sound like Simon at all,” they might have thought.

But Jesus saw the true Simon—the true Peter. A Peter Simon himself did not yet know, perhaps had forgotten.

We are the same. We often do not truly know ourselves, or we forget who we really are. Recently, we did a spiritual gifts assessment. Some of you may have been surprised by the results or doubted their accuracy.

Those tools may not be perfect. But Jesus’ gaze is perfect. You and I are God’s workmanship. Even if our self-criticism has some truth on the surface, God has placed within each of us something irreplaceable and precious.

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Sermon script modified based on proofreading and translation with ChatGPT.