In this portion of the chapter we see five disciples. Four of them are named: Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael and one is not. Some believe that the unnamed disciple is John the apostle himself (the author of the book). In any case we can draw some lessons from our Savior's interaction with these men.
First two of John the Baptist's disciples followed him. Andrew and the unnamed disciple. These men had been prepared. John's message of repentance had been preached to them, and it was painfully clear to them that they needed a Savior to take away sins. They needed the lamb of God. Jesus greets them with a question: "What are you seeking?" This cuts right to the heart of these men. What is there purpose in coming to him? What is it they desire? This is a question that everyone who seeks to know about Jesus or Christianity or comes to church must face. What are you really after? There is only one right answer and these disciples got it right. The answer was him. They were seeking him. They wanted more than an idea or a method or a blessing they wanted him. We see them saying "where are you staying?" that's because they are ready to move in. Jesus promises to live with those who follow him. "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
The last three disciples all have something in common. Jesus appears to know them. This likely was the first time Simon Peter encounters Jesus, and yet in Vs. 42 it sounds as though Jesus already knows him, and even more he already has a name for him. Philip is the only one of these first five where Jesus initiates the contact. Jesus found him. And Jesus already knew Nathanael and saw him under the fig tree. These all demonstrate the Jesus knew his disciples before they knew him. Even the ones that sought and found him were more truly found by him. As he would say later, "You didn't choose me but I chose you" (John 15:16)Christ knew them and chose them and had a purpose for them.
Let us remember these lessons. We should be seeking to know Jesus intimately. Remember why you are really there the next time you walk in to Church "What are you seeking?" And remember if we are Christians that means Jesus knew us before we knew him. We are like Jeremiah the Old Testament Prophet to whom the Lord said, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you"(Jer 1:5). Let that be a comfort and an encouragement he knew us he chose us and he has a purpose for us. He leads us in paths of righteousness.
And the final lesson is that Jesus offers to show the greatness and glory of God to those who follow him. As we see with these disciples; they had seen enough to come, but he would show them so much more. He said to the two disciples "Come and you will see". He said to Nathanael, "You will see greater things than these". He has more to show us as well.
"Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God." John 11:40
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