The important thing to know and to remember – is that the text that is before us – is the Gospel writer (John’s) introduction to Jesus.
This is the first time we “meet him.” This is the first time we “hear him speak.” This is the first time we “see him!” This is big stuff! It is the place where first impressions are made.
I get it, that it is easy to talk about John the Baptizer, “curiosity that he is.”
I also understand we can turn this into an account about “the first disciples,” which “it” also is.
But isn’t the purpose of the account – for this to be the “good news” about Jesus called the Christ?
All of it is important. All of it is a piece of the pie. All of it carries some weight.
But our emphasis needs to be on Jesus. He is the good news. Not John the Baptizer. Not the disciples. But Jesus…
We are not told the specifics of “where” this is…there is no “identifiable place” mentioned, there is no hinted aspect of “geography.”
When reading the early Christian writings, it is crucial to remember that in his own time, and in the lifetimes of the writers of the Bible, Jesus was “a complete unknown” outside of his circle of followers.
The first century Judean would have had a different take…
For example, just who exactly is this guy from a dinky-remote-no-wheres-ville-hamlet-named Nazareth? That is the correct name of the village, isn’t it?
Nazareth of Galilee…Nazareth of the Gentiles…a home of foreigners…
How many people actually lived there? It couldn’t be that big…did anyone else ever hear of it? I doubt it.
Did I hear correctly – that this Jesus was the bastard son of a woman named Mary?
That Joseph must have been some kind of a “real loser” to “hook up” with the likes of her.
No self-respecting man would marry a woman like that! No self-respecting Jew would marry a woman like that!
Is it true, “we” don’t even know “who” his real father is?
Jesus says nothing about himself, which is good. In an honor/shame society it would not be appropriate to speak about yourself or to blow your own horn.
So, it will be important “to hear” what “others” say about him. And this text gives us that information!
The first disciple in the fourth Gospel – Andrew – is identified by his relationship to his much more famous brother – Simon Peter.
There is also another unnamed disciple that is mentioned.
Andrew refers to Jesus as being the Messiah…which again is big stuff. It is important what “others” say about you.
Three titles for Jesus are mentioned in this brief passage of scripture…He is called, the “Lamb of God,” “Rabbi” and now “Messiah” – all three titles speak volumes about the man.
All of the titles are “Israel-centric” with strong Hebraic connotations…and again none of them are spoken by Jesus. It is others “saying these things” about him.
And at this point, you have to admire the apostle’s. They “get” who the finger points to…
They drop the Baptizer like “a hot potato” and quickly go to see what Jesus is all about.
Andrew becomes so motivated that he points his brother in Jesus’ direction.
John witnesses about Jesus.
Andrew witnesses about Jesus…they both point other people in his direction.
Why?
What is there about him?
Why the attraction?
Jesus’ only words in the text are “Come and See.”
He says very little…but there is much that is said about him…
And perhaps the most important and the most telling testimony comes from the Baptizer who says, God himself and the voice from heaven declared this Jesus to be “the Son of God.” John heard it. John witnessed it. And John re-told it! And retold it again!
The “good news” about Jesus is that he is the Son of God. He is present. He is here. He is the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sin of the world. He is a teacher and Rabbi…and he is the Messiah, the long-expected-anointed-one. He is the one who can free us from our sins.
You would have to be crazy or a fool not to follow him…and so Andrew goes and gets his brother, Simon and introduces him to Jesus.
Who have you recently introduced to Jesus?