(43) The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. (John 1:43)
Explain
Jesus wanted to go from where he was to Galilee. Some say that he wanted to go to the wedding in Cana. He didn’t go on his own. He went and found Philip. Interestingly as he went to Galilee he “findeth Philip”.
Notice the term that he used with Philip. “Follow me”.- ακολουθει, from the root ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō) which means what is translated, “follow me”. Strongs concordence says that this term is closely related to keleuthos (a road); Most literally it would be like saying “come down this road with me”. Or, Follow me down the road I’m going. But like so many words that take on a culture and a context, this word was regularly used by a rabbi to a disciple as acceptance into the rabbi and disciple relationship. It would be akin to an acceptance letter into college today. “I’ll let you follow me, because you are worthy of being my disciple”. This was they typical way it was used by most rabbis.
Jesus here is different. As he was going, he finds Philip and calls him to be his disciple. This was more like an acceptance letter than it was a momentary invitation. He was calling Philip to go where he went, hear what he said, learn what he knows, and become like him. He was calling him to become his apprentice.
Apply
While most rabbis were calling the qualified, Jesus’ mode was to train those he called to follow him. He qualified the called. What an incredible privilege it is to be called to discipleship. What an incredible responsibility it is to follow Jesus in making disciples.
Respond
- Would you call yourself a disciple of Jesus Christ?
- Who is in your life that needs to be discipleship?