When we look at the life and ministry of Jesus, we must understand the context of the times and Jewish leadership. To be a Rabbi, one had to reach the age of thirty. Then building a group of students became a matter of reputation and charisma. Jesus was not formally trained by the likes of Gamaliel or other noted Rabbinical stand outs. He was from Nazareth, poor, and an artisan. So, when Jesus began the ministry, he picked young men probably 18ish years old.
As Jesus came up from the Baptism of John, He made quite a splash…John the Baptist proclaimed Him Messiah! So, John’s followers like Simon, Andrew, James and John were already there and seeking to be taught. Jesus’ call was the promise of a life of prestige for a young Jewish man. Little did these men know that Jesus’ call would ultimately change their entire view of Adonai and it would drive them to a mission to change the world as promised in God’s call in Exodus 19:6.
It had to be overwhelming to leave one’s life and livelihood and follow the young Rabbi. Still, as John reflected, he considered the call of the apostles as page 1 material. We need to also understand, once we recognize the deity of Christ, the mission of Christ, then we must come to terms with Jesus’ call to a life of service and commitment.
From the 1st call of Andrew, Jesus has only had one level of membership. All-in. He was never religious; He would never accept a casual nod. Throughout our Lord’s time on earth, he had several that wanted to just purchase the basic membership. Nicodemus, the rich young ruler and others. Jesus quite lovingly but directly made the terms abundantly clear–“If anyone would come after me; let them deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.
History reminds us that these, His apostles did just that. John, while lovingly recounting the story, prioritized the events for all who would come to the Master. Know His sovereignty and deity as God, Believe in His message and mission, then, wholly and completely commit to following Him as Savior and Lord.
God Bless You
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[g]).
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe[h] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you,[i] you[j] will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’[k] the Son of Man.”
Walking With God 