Day 4 - Saturday, Feb. 29 A Name Above Every Other Name DAILY READING - John 1:35-51 The name given to someone means something. The names of each of my children have significant meaning to me. I call my husband a myriad of different names depending on the situation, mood, and environment. Think about the different names you use for those you love. How do names impact a relationship? Beyond formal names, we use nicknames or diminutives that indicate a certain intimacy. We assign titles that describe a social position or rank. The names we use for people have connotations, implications, and interpretations. Throughout the first chapter of John, Jesus is given many names. These names reveal something about Jesus’ activity among us, his identity with the Father, and how we should proceed as his disciples (NIV Application, 82). Listed in John’s first chapter, the names will develop more meaning and significance as we journey through the next twenty chapters of the Gospel. The more we use the various names of Jesus, the nearer we draw to the full presence of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Write the names of Jesus found in the following verses: 1:20 and 1:41 1:21 1:29 1:29 and 1:36 1:33 1:34 1:38 and 1:49 1:41 1:45 1:45 1:49 1:49 1:51 Which of these names do you most often use for Jesus? Why? Which name is most foreign to you? Why? Which name confuses you or causes you to pause with questions? Reading John 1:35-37, John the Baptist is with two of his disciples when Jesus passes by. God reveals something about the Lamb of God to John. The revelation and recognition drive John to testify, or witness, who Christ is to his disciples. John’s revelation and transformation multiplies revelation and transformation in others. John’s disciples begin to follow Jesus. How do you think John felt about this? Jesus turns to see the two disciples following him and asks, “What do you want?” This question is multi-layered and Jesus is asking many things. As a human being, he is asking why the disciples are following him. As the Logos-Messiah, he is asking what the disciples want from life (Carson, 155). What do you think the disciples wanted? Place yourself inside of this story. You experience revelation and know that you should follow this man named Jesus. You begin walking behind him. Jesus turns around and asks you, “What do you want?”. How would you answer that question today? What do you want from Jesus? What do you hope for as a follower of Christ? What do you want most from life? The two disciples answer Jesus, first, by proclaiming the title “Rabbi”. A Rabbi is a teacher who is also a mentor. In these times, young men learned by following someone who had greater knowledge. This Rabbi, or mentor, would form the young boys into Jewish men by showing them how to live life, not just the religious life. The young men were apprentices shaped by the Rabbi in daily life. Andrew and the unnamed disciple, presumably John the Evangelist, were not merely calling Jesus teacher. They denoted Jesus’ significance as someone more knowledgeable. But, they honored him with a title that signified Jesus was worthy of distinction. They honored the fact that Jesus was worthy of following and someone who would form them into better men. After hearing John the Baptist’s witness, the disciples hoped for transformation and formation. The disciples continue asking Jesus, “Where are you staying?”. The word that has been translated here as “staying” also means remaining or abiding. If we change the question to, “Where are you abiding or remaining?” how does that change the meaning of their question? Turn to John 15:4-5. What does Jesus say about remaining in him? I think the disciples want to know at least two things as they begin to follow Jesus. Does Jesus abide in God the Father? Will their formation to Jesus the Messiah be productive? Andrew is the first disciple to follow Jesus. The rest of John’s opening chapter is filled with a list of disciples who followed Jesus. The disciples of Jesus in this first chapter are: , probably John the Evangelist Each time Jesus calls a disciple he says, “ ". In Jn 1:50-51, what does Jesus promise for believers? What does this promise from Jesus say about revelation? What is Jesus doing for all of the disciples? What does John hope that you will do knowing this information?