John 1:35-51 and Matt 4:17-25 The Early Disciples

Name:	How They Learned About Jesus Christ:	What They Did After They Met Jesus Christ:
Simon Peter	John 1:41-42 - - Andrew, his brother, told Peter that they had “found…the Christ”. - Brought him to Jesus. Jesus told him that he would be called a seer	John 1:42 JST “…And they straightway left all, and followed Jesus.” Matt 4:20 “And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” - Peter had been a fisherman. When he met Christ he was willing to drop it and leave it all to follow Him. Peter was told by Christ that he would be called a seer.
Andrew	John 1:35-40 - - Heard John bearing record that Jesus was the Lamb of God - Followed Christ and He invited them to follow him and abide with him.	John 1:40-41 “…was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He [Andrew] first findeth his brother Simon…” John 1:42 JST “…And they straightway left all, and followed Jesus.” Matt 4:20 “And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” - When Andrew met Christ he first went to find his brother, Simon Peter to share with him that he had found the Christ! Then Andrew was also a fisherman. Like Simon Peter, he too was willing to walk away from his nets and his boat and follow Christ.
Nathanael	John 1:45-51 – - Philip came to him, told him that they had found “him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write”	John 1:49 “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” - He had a spiritual experience prior to Philip coming to him and meeting Christ. He had felt the Spirit of Christ under the fig tree. He was without guile and so when he met Christ was able to recognize him as the Christ. He then bore testimony that he was the Christ. Christ then told him that he, Nathanael, would see and experience “even greater things than these…ye shall see the heavens open, and the agels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” (John 1:50-51)
Philip	John 1:43-45 – - Philip was from the same city, Bethsaida, as Peter and Andrew. - Jesus went into Galilee and found Philip and told him to “Follow me”	John 1:45 “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him…” - Philip went and found Nathanael after he had found the Christ. Like Andrew, he wanted to share what he had found

Two actions demonstrated by these men that showed that they believed that Jesus was the Christ were leaving everything behind them to follow Christ, and finding others to share the knowledge that they had found.

Philip and Andrew were examples of sharing what they had found. When Andrew discovered the Christ the first thing he did was go and find his brother, Simon Peter. It must have been a joyful and a spiritual experience to realize that Jesus is the Christ and He is there with them! He wanted to share with him that he had found the Messiah. I think that this example is particularly important because Simon Peter was his brother. Just like Lehi wanted to share the joy that he felt from the fruit of the tree of life with his family, we should also desire to share the joy that we feel from the Savior with our family!

Philip was also willing to follow Jesus when Jesus said, “Follow me.” He too then wanted to share the experience that he had. So he went and found Nathanael and share with him that he had found the Christ! Philip and Nathanael were from the same place, Bethsaida. This is an example of the instructions given to us in D&C 88:81 which says, “I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every many who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.”

I have always tried to implement this principle in my life. I don’t think that I have always been very successful at implementing it, but I have tried. I have tried to be an example to those around me and to help them feel of the Savior’s love. I have tried to always be filled with the Spirit so that those I come in contact with can feel of the Spirit through me as well. I love my Savior and I want to share that love! I know that there have been times in my life though that I have not been very good at it. There have been times that that light that is inside of me has been dimmed through my actions and my choices. And I have never been very good at verbally sharing the gospel, but I can improve. I will pray for courage to speak up and reach out. I will fill my life with things of light and truth. I will share with my children the joy of keeping the commandments and living the gospel. I will teach my children of the Savior’s glorious mission here on earth. I will pray to know what needs to be changed in my life to allow the Spirit to guide me more directly so that I can be continually under His direction.