THE KING’S BUSINESS
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news to his brother and to bring him to the Christ he had found. Every one who fully and truly finds Christ will at once wish to .tell some one else. Andrew began in his own family, with his brother (cf. Luke 8:38, 39). There is an implication in the wording of verses 40 and 41 that Andrew’s companion on this occasion, who undoubtedly was John himself, also found his own brother. On every occasion in which Andrew appears in this gospel it is more or less in a missionary character (cf. ch. 6 : 8 , 9; 12:22). Though it was Andrew who brought Simon Peter to Jesus, Simon Peter became the far better known of the two. This is indicated in the 42nd verse where Andrew is spoken of as Simon Peter’s brother. The use of the word “findeth” in this chapter should be care fully noted. The word occurs again in verse 43, and twice in verse 45. It is used of Andrew’s finding his brother, and of his own finding of the Christ. In the case of his finding the Christ it shows he had been seeking Christ and his search had bqen rewarded, he had found what he sought. Any one who seeks with all his heart will find the Anointed One Whom his soul needs (Jer..29:13)^ Andrew was not sui:e that Jesus was the Messiah when John the Baptist had pointed Him out, but the personal conversation with Jesus had settled his mind. It will settle any man’s mind. A season of personal communion with Christ is worth tons of literature on Christian Evidences. Andrew did not stop at giving his testimony regarding Jesus, he took Simon and led him directly to Jesus. It is not enough that we tell men about Jesus, we, should lead them to Him. Note the six steps in Andrew’s experience: (1) He heard of Jesus (v. 36); (2) he looked upon Jesus (v. 36) ; (3) he followed Jesus (vs. 37, 40) ,* (4) he abode with Jesus (V. 39) ; (5) he testified of Jesus (v. 41) ; ( 6 ) he brought another to Jesus. The word translated “beheld” in the Authorized Version, and “looked upon” in the Revised Version, is the same word translated “looked upon” in verse 36; it describes a
penetrating look: Jesus looked Peter through and through. He saw what he now was and said, “Thou- art Simon the son of John.” He also saw what he was to become, and said, “Thou shalt be called Cephas," (i.e. Rock man). It was' faith in the Rock that was to transform ordinary Simon into an extraordinary rock man (cf L C°r- !°:4: Matt 16:!6-18; 1 John 5:5). Cephas” is the Aramaic, form of the name equivalent to the Greek Petros (Latin, Peter). John’s giving the Aramaic form is an illustration of his faithfulness as a reporter. This form is never used else where in the New Testament except by Paul. By the New Testament writers gen erally he is called “Peter,” or “Simon eter. Our Lord Himself, however, always used the old name of Simon, even m His final charge to him (ch, 21:15-17). vs. 43, 44; "The day fallowing Jesus would (On the morrow He was minded to) go forth mto Galilee, and (’add, He) findeth Philip, and saith (: and Jesus saith) unto him, Follow me. Now, Philip was of Beth- saida, the city o f Andrew and PeterP Up to this point we have had men seeking Jesus. Here we have Jesus seeking men Andrew and John found the Messiah, but Jesus found Philip. But before Andrew and John found Christ His Spirit had ound them, and He was really the first seeker, not they. Just how and where i SU^ f°Und Philip we are n°t told, but Pt!-, dJ implieS that Jesus was seeking hilip and that the meeting was not acci- denml This Philip is not Philip the evan gelist (cf. Acts 6:5; 8:5; 21:8), but Philip who afterward became one of the twelve Apostles. In the various lists of the Apos tles given in the gospels, the first six given are the six persons here definitely men tioned or alluded to, Peter and Andrew “ I 7“1!”’ PhiHp and Bartholomew (Nathaniel) (Matt. 10:1-3; Mark 3:13-18- Luke 6:12-14). This is another clear indi- cation that the unnamed disciple in verses 37-40 was John. Our Lord’s invitation to Philip was very brief and simple, yet there was an inexhaustible meaning in it. There
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