The Book of John - 10

Introduction - We finished up last weeks lesson looking at John’s declaration found in verse 29.

This declaration again is repeated in verse 35.

We see that the record of John the Baptist that is given to us here in the book of John serves the purposes of being the first of many witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is significant, that this declaration concerns the Lord’s redemptive name, as the Lamb of God.

When we looked at the passage in Revelation chapter 5, we see that the Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in a threefold way:

He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

This title speaks to His Kingly Rule, Power and Authority. (Genesis 49:9) Just as the lion is called the king of beasts and possesses the greatest strength. “He is the able Savior, the strong Redeemer, and protector of his church and people, and the avenger of their enemies.”

He is the Root of David.

This speaks to His rightful rulership connected with the throne of David. It ties into Isaiah 11:1, “1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”

He is the Lamb of God. (In Revelation chapter 5 He is the Lamb as it had been slain…in the Gospel of John He is Lamb that would be slain.)

In verses 31-34 the Gospel record of John briefly speaks about the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You will remember that the Lord compelled John to submit to baptizing Him that they may thus fulfill all righteousness.

The significance of this event is alluded to here in this passage in that it signified specially for John the Baptist, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Christ, the Son of God.

Apparently, also from the other Gospel records, we see that John the Baptist must have had some understanding of Jesus being the Christ when He met Him just before he baptized him.

For John the Baptist “forbad him...” in Matthew 3:14 which suggests that John recognized something about the Lord.

And even though this is the case this special sign was afforded to John by God’s design.

v33 “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.”

v34 “And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”

So we have seen the first of the witnesses presented in this Gospel record, John the Baptist.

Notice now the next two witnesses.

II. The Chosen Witnesses of the Word 1:19-4:54

A. John the Baptist

B. Andrew and the other disciple

Notice with me, what the Bible says in verses 35-37.

John 1:35-37 “35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.”

In these next several accounts given to us we find all of the different ways that folks come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.

Here, we see that these two first begin their inquiry with the Lord Jesus Christ through the testimony of another.

Andrew and the “the other disciple,” whom many believe to be John himself or perhaps Thomas, were disciples already of John the Baptist.

(If you look at the following references, you will see that John made a habit of not naming himself in his writings. John 13:23, 19:26, 19:35, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20, 21:24)

The Bible tells us that these two were disciples of John.

We see in verse 37 two pointed words listed for us concerning this testimony in verse 36:

They heard.

They followed.

How important it is for us to testify of the Lord Jesus Christ to others.

Because of this testimony, we see Andrew and and another following the Lord.

The Bible says they heard and they followed.

We see also, that it is important how we receive the testimony concerning the Lord.

They heard what John stated and proceeded forward with the light they were given.

John Butler said the result of John’s testimony, “John the Baptist experienced the results every preacher likes to experience, namely, after we preach, people follow Jesus.”

Notice the interaction that ensues between these two disciples and the Lord.

We see first that the Lord “turned, and saw them...”

How wonderful it is, that our Savior is ready to receive those that accept His invitation.

The Savior turned and saw them.

We can thank the Lord this morning, that the God we serve is the God that sees.

The heart of God is that men will come to Him to receive the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Not only did He turn and see them, but notice the testing of their desire.

Verse 38 and 39 states, “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.”

What a tremendous question for us this morning, What seek ye?

These are significant words, not only are they the words of our blessed Savior, but they are the first words of our Savior recorded in this Gospel record.

This was an invitation extended.

It will be noticed that the Lord did not ask them, whom they were seeking, but rather what are they seeking.

We might say it this way, ‘For what purpose are you seeking me?

It has been said before that any question that the Lord Jesus Christ asks of us is not for His personal knowledge.

As the Lord is the all-knowing God, we cannot think that He did not already know the answer to the question He asked of them.

Here are wonderful Savior encourages advancement in the step of faith taken by these two.

John had pointed them to Christ declaring “Behold, the Lamb of God...” and they had followed in faith.

Now they are being encouraged to know what it is they are seeking after.

The Lord makes known to us through His Word the counsels of our own hearts and challenges us to understand more fully our own purposes.

We find throughout the Gospel records of scores of folks that had faulty motives for following after the Lord.

I am thinking of the feeding of the five thousand, and the folks that sought the Lord simply because of the bread.

In John 6:26 the Lord tells that crowd, “... Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.”

And so through His word is revealed their true motive.

Not once but many times have we found folks in the church house for faulty reasons.

And it becomes apparent that they have some other motivation for being in the house of God, other than following after God.

AW Pink stated this in his commentary, “The true answer to this question reveals your spiritual state.”

Is it the love of Christ that constrains us, or do we seek the acceptance of man?

Do we wish to have the thoughts of men thinking well of us?

Do we design to convince others of our goodness, or are we seeking Him?

“Is it gold, fame, ease or comfort or pleasure?”

There have been a few times when we have had young people show up on a Sunday that their parents were in town, and stating this is my church… And yet after that Sunday they are nowhere to be seen again.

I am reminded Simon the magician in Acts chapter 8.

The Bible states this in verse 18-20, “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”

Because of the deceitfulness of our own hearts, we are thankful that the Lord tries our motives through His word and the ministry of His Spirit.

This is a gracious invitation of our Lord for these to progress in their faith and understanding of Him.

To which they answer, “Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?”

What a beautiful thing to see these two desire to have private counsel and converse with the Lord.

I wonder as I close this morning could I ask the question, “What seek ye?”

Are we here to know Him? Do we design this morning to have fellowship with God?

I like the Christmas saying someone came up with “Wise men still seek Him…”

Let that be true of us this morning!