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John 1:29-42 - Seeking the Kingdom of Heaven

by Gary Sims
01/12/05
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The Gospels
John 1:29-42 - Seeking the Kingdom of Heaven

Key Verses: (NRSV)

  • 29: “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, 'Here is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" - Following Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist was telling his followers what had transpired in the river when Jesus came walking by.

  • 33-34: "I myself did not know Him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." - The purpose of John's ministry was to point people to Jesus.

  • 37: "The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus." - Andrew and John were followers of John the Baptist, but in a single moment of recognition, they left and chose to follow Jesus.

  • 38-39: "When Jesus turned and saw them following, He said to them, 'What are you looking for…?' 39He said to the, "Come and see.' They came and saw…" - We all are seekers but do we know what it is we seek?

  • 40-41: "One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated Anointed)." - Son of God, Messiah, Anointed One, Lamb of God, King of Israel, or Rabbi - each name for Jesus brings with it a partial description of who Christ is in our lives.

  • 42: "He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas' (which is translated Peter)." - As we become followers of Christ we are transformed for a greater destiny.
    Points to Contemplate:
    • Have you been forgiven? In the Jewish tradition, a lamb was sacrificed at the temple twice each day in order to pay for the forgiveness of their sins. How does it make you feel to think of Jesus as a lamb being led to slaughter in your behalf? Do you wonder why you would be worth such a sacrifice? Does it cause you to be amazed at the extent of God's love for you? When you think of the Sacrificial Lamb does it cause you to live your life differently, perhaps more reverently, in response to God's love for you?

    • "What are you looking for?" As you go through life, is there a persistent question that keeps nagging at your heart? Are there answers that are seemingly just outside your reach? When you pray, are there issues of life that you ask for clarification and understanding? When you seek God, do you need to know what it is you seek in order to know when you have found it? We are told that God has created a hunger and thirst within each of us to know Him. How do Jesus' comments to His first two followers make you feel? If He were to turn to you and ask the same question, how would you respond?

    • What is your name? Frequently in the Bible when people come to know Christ their names have changed. (i.e. Peter & Paul) Has your relationship with Christ resulted in a change or transformation in your life? Are you a different person than you once were? Is this a change that can be seen by others? With Peter, Jesus seems to capture the essence of who Peter will become even though Peter had just begun his journey. To what great things in your life with Christ are you destined? For what have you been anointed? Is there a newer and holier person waiting to look out from the mirror at you in the future?
    Promises of the Gospel:

    John the Baptist spent his entire ministry telling people of the coming Messiah. He had a large group of followers. Then Jesus came, was anointed with water, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Without hesitation, John boldly announced that Jesus is the Lamb of God, Son of God, and the Messiah. His followers turned to see and never turned back. Andrew and John immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah and chose to follow Him. But Jesus says 'Wait! What are you seeking?' When their reply speaks of experiencing His kingdom He says 'Come and see.' As we choose to follow Christ our willingness to know Him fully and to completely grasp the extent of His kingdom will change our lives and, because of this, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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