Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
I know! We are studying John. Why lead with Paul? I pray my explanation will clarify that.
Jesus hadn't come bringing a new and improved version of the Old Way. It wasn't based on the Law. It was based on Grace. His was a totally New Way of thinking and living. And so, from the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus broke the mold. He entered a world that struggled under a social hierarchy that was top heavy. The rich and powerful were on the top. The poor and outcasts far below on the bottom. The changes Jesus ushers in become evident as we enter John's story.
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:40-42
Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). (John 1:42,)
Let me add to that Matthew's version of the story.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." Matthew 4:18-19
Jesus didn't start his ministry at the Synagogue. No high priests. He didn't announce his coming to the Sanhedrin. Humble beginnings. Jesus' first four choices were all fishermen. Not exactly the In Crowd. They were followed by the most unlikely disciple of them all. Matthew. A tax collector? Ai Yi Yi!! None had been to Seminary. They probably couldn't even spell "Pentateuch".
Check out Nathaniel's reaction to Jesus.
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."
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip. John 1:45-46
The Messiah doesn't come from Jerusalem. He comes from a tiny one horse town with no stoplights. Nazareth?? No Way!! Later, as the New Way moves forward under the tutelage of Jesus' unlikely disciples, Peter, speaking to a household of Gentiles, says this:
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right." Acts 10:34-35
Wherever you find yourself on your walk with Jesus, know that you are dear to his heart. He doesn't hold you to who you were or what you've done. As Paul said, you are a new creation. Old things have passed. And just like his disciples, we share a common purpose.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…. 2 Corinthians 5:20a
As we work our way through the Gospel of John, notice those who Jesus reaches out to. Those in need. Whoever they are. Jesus' directive to us is clear. "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37.)
"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
by Bruce Hanson
