Although the birth of Jesus was the turning-point of history it was still only an early step on the path He was purposefully taking towards His atoning death and glorious resurrection. With only a few exceptions, people didn’t recognise Him at His birth or throughout His childhood. It was not until His public ministry began, in His adulthood, that the good news started ringing out, “We have found the Messiah!” Two men chatting with John had their attention caught when Jesus was walking away from them. In the following updated extract, George Hutcheson takes us through John’s concern to point out the Lamb of God, the disciples’ longing to know Christ better, and then the impulse in every believer to bring others to know the Lord too.

Preachers must preach Christ

When Christ comes by, John points him out as the true sacrifice for sin, to the two disciples he was with (i.e., those who had embraced his doctrine, and were more than ordinary hearers). “John stood, and two of his disciples. And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God” (vv.35–36).

As Christ does not fail to cast opportunities of well-doing in His servants’ way, so they ought to neglect no occasion of doing good, and of leading people to Christ. John had given testimony to Him the previous day, and today, as He walks by them, now going away, John will preach Him and point Him out, even to only two disciples.

Christ’s faithful servants will make conscience to exalt Him, and to lead people to Him, and not to themselves. Not only in public, where many may observe, but even in their most private conversations, it will be their care that those who respect them most would be led away from them to Christ.

A sight of Christ is not only an opportunity but a notable help to enable ministers to preach and point Him out to others. As John was looking on Jesus as He walked, he is encouraged to commend Him, and likewise a sight and enjoyment of His spiritual presence will notably equip ministers to speak of Him.

It is the duty of faithful ministers to be much in preaching Christ crucified, and pointing Him out as the only propitiatory sacrifice for sin. That is why John again points Him out in this way, “Behold the Lamb of God!” This is both a chief point of Christian knowledge, and a powerful means of conversion.

Christ crucified is the main attraction

The two disciples who John’s testimony affected were Andrew (v.40) and (probably) John (because he notes the circumstances in so much detail). Hearing John’s doctrine, they are taken with it, and follow Christ.

When Christ enquires what they are doing, they declare that they are seeking to Him as their teacher, and to have more acquaintance with Him. On this they are warmly invited to go with Him, and they stay with Him all night, learning excellent things.

Small ordinances and few words may do much good, when Christ is pleased to breathe, and something that has no effect at one time may yet be blessed at another. John’s short testimony works on both his hearers today, touching their hearts and drawing them to believe, though we read of no effect from the same doctrine more amply enlarged the day before.

Just as the doctrine of Christ as a sacrifice for sin is sweet to those who are trained in the school of repentance, as John’s disciples were, so it is also the chief instrument of conversion. Whatever other divine doctrine people receive, it will only turn them into moralists, unless they also receive and embrace the doctrine of Christ crucified, and Christ Himself displayed in it. That’s what makes people real Christians.

Those who rightly hear Christ preached will never get rest till they attain to some more acquaintance with Himself. These disciples “heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (v.37). The heart touched by the Word is set on work to follow after and seek communion with Him. For this end, they will miss Him, and follow after Him, never resting till they get Him.

Christ notices who takes an interest in Him

Christ takes notice, and knows very well who it is who is following Him, even though His back seems to be toward them (it says He “turned, and sees them following,” v.38, indicating that He knew they were behind Him).

Although Christ seems to go away from these who follow Him, and lets them follow for a while, the reason for this is to stir them up, and exercise and reveal their faith all the more, and in the end, He will turn and manifest Himself to them.

Those who follow Christ should very seriously examine and enquire why they are doing so. Is it for an easy life and outward benefits, or for spiritual reasons? Are they seeking Christ Himself, or only His gifts? What estimation do they have of Him, if they are seeking Himself? Unless they do this, and unless they are single-minded in their aim, they will not find Christ giving them such a sweet welcome. That’s why Christ starts with the question, “What seek ye?” as needful to be answered, and till then He keeps a distance.

The disciples reply giving Him the title “Rabbi,” which is, “master,” or “teacher.” From this we can gather that one right goal in seeking Christ is, out of the sense of our ignorance and errors, to employ Him to be our soul’s master and teacher, the one who can infallibly and effectually instruct us.

Those who have any sound knowledge of Christ will use means to be more acquainted with Him, and those who come to Him for right ends will not have their errands with Him done quickly. They can’t get enough of Him! This much is indicated in the disciples’ answer, “Where dwellest thou?” It’s not so much about getting a little information about Him by the by, as because they want to have more familiar acquaintance with Him.

Those who seek Christ for Himself will get warm invitations and hearty hospitality from Him in the end. Just as they are not willing to be quickly done with Christ, so He will find means to hold them on with Him. “Come and see,” He says. He doesn’t say, “Let’s arrange something when you’re free,” but brings them along with Him. If we take it up spiritually, it indicates that Christ’s sincere followers will be made to know by experience the place where His honour dwelleth, by tasting the blessing of public ordinances, till they come to dwell with Him for ever. Also, they can better take up these things by seeing and experience, than by any report.

As soon as He said it, “they came and saw where he dwelt” (v.39). When Christ gives invitations, it is wise to embrace the offer, and not to delay, when either the Word or the lively working of the Spirit with it, is calling and alluring their hearts.

Those who follow Christ’s call, may not only get the good they expect, but His providence may cast unexpected benefits in their way. “They abode with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour” (v.39), or, according to the Jewish calculation (by which every day was divided into twelve hours, longer in summer and shorter in winter), two hours before night. They came only to know where He was staying, but providence ordered that they got a night’s lodging with Him, and so they could learn more of Him.

Christ’s new followers want others to follow too

“One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus” (vv.40–42).

Those who have gotten any knowledge of Christ, and are brought in to Him, ought to be careful to invite others to Him. True grace sanctifies natural affection, and makes you express that natural affection by seeking spiritual good to those to whom you are related by nature. So, “Andrew seeketh his own brother, Simon” (v.41).

“And he brought him to Jesus” (v.42). Whatever may be lacking in the light of the instruments who point out Christ, it will be made up for, if the hearer goes to Christ Himself. Faithful preachers will not be at ease till they draw hearers to Christ, and hearers should be tractable, when means are offered, and not stop short on the word of any man, but go to Christ themselves. Andrew has little more to say, but he draws Peter to Christ, and Peter goes with him.

Kindness begins on Christ’s side, and His grace goes before the sinner. Andrew found Peter before he even dreamed of such good news.

The finding of Jesus, the promised Messiah, is good news indeed, and the most excellent of purchases, for it makes the finder eternally happy. The good news that went around among them was, “We have found the Messias!” (v.41).

The titles given to Christ in Scripture are not to be lightly passed over, but pondered, for their meanings are for our edification and comfort. In particular, He has taken to Himself the title “the anointed one,” or “the Messiah,” or in Greek “the Christ,” in that He was anointed by the Spirit without measure for carrying out all His offices for the good of the church.

Christ will welcome those who come to Him, whoever were the instruments of their conversion, and however poor their outward condition is. He welcomes Peter, though he only came on account of a conversation with Andrew, as warmly as those who were called by John, and even though he was only poor Simon, the son of the fisherman Jona.

Christ gives a new nature to those who come to Him, and includes them in His family as children. This is what is indicated by Christ giving Peter a new name (v.42) — that he was now a born child in His family, and He was his father. Yet, at the same time, He puts him in mind that he is still “Simon the son of Jona” (v.42), for whatever dignity and excellency He confers on His converts, He does not want them to forget what they are in themselves, to still keep them humble, and to commend His grace the more.

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