Jesus calls His followers.

Two of John’s disciples left John to follow Jesus. One of them is named...Andrew, the other isn’t named, but many think it may have been the disciple John. Jesus really didn’t call them, they followed Him.

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him…”
Can you imagine being the one to evangelize Peter!!!

Jesus first recorded miracle was to turn water into wine. When Mary tells Jesus there is no more wine, it is clear she was expecting Jesus to take care of it. Because of the way Jesus responded to His mother, it is evident that He understood that she wanted something more of Him than just go buy some wine. She was expecting a miracle. Could have He already performed supernatural things at home that Mary had seen?

The master of the banquet says the bridegroom has saved the best for last. Why do we sometimes wait until everything else runs out to try God?

Jesus performed miraculous signs so that others would believe. The disciples at that point put their faith in Him.  And at this point, it seems as if the only disciples who are closely following Jesus, at least at this time are Andrew, Peter, Phillip, and Nathanael and one other who is not named.

After the wedding, Jesus, His mother, His blood brothers, and His disciples left Cana and went to Capernaum.  Some time after this Jesus went back to Jerusalem in time for the Passover. While Jesus was there many people saw the miraculous signs that He did and believed in His name.  Just what is it that they believed?  Did they believe in Jesus as the Messiah or only in the miracles He did?

When Nicodemus asked the question, "How can a man be born again?" this was a new concept for him.  Jesus answers with an explanation about being born of the Spirit. Just as one can see the effects of the wind, people will be able to see the effects of being born again, being born of the Spirit.

One of John's disciples expresses concern about ceremonial washing done by Jesus and His disciples, reporting to John that Jesus is baptizing.   However, this man is mistaken.  John 4:1-3 clears that up. Only the disciples are baptizing. 

John mentions that God "gives the Spirit without limit."  Isn't that interesting!  We, the Believers with the indwellment of the Holy Spirit are the ones who limit the Spirit's power and effect.

When Jesus and the disciples left Judea and went back toward Galilee, did Jesus call Judas before they left? We know that Judas was from the villages of Cariot located about 23 miles south of Jerusalem in the Judea countryside.

On the way to Galilee, they journeyed through Samaria. The Samaritans were known by the Jews as half breeds and not true Israelites. Jews avoided traveling through Samaria. Jacob’s well was on property originally owned by Jacob. Wells were usually located along the main road outside the city. Women would come twice a day to draw water, in the cool of the morning and in the cool of the evening. This woman came in the heat of the day at noon, probably to avoid being seen by the other women. No respectable Jewish man would have spoken to her for several reasons: she was a Samaritan, she was living in sin, she was in a public place. Yet Jesus not only talks to her. He gives her the promise of “living water”. 

What is this “living water”?

Just as we should not deprive our bodies of food and water, we should not deprive ourselves of spiritual food and water, God’s Word. We receive spiritual nourishment from fellowship with Jesus, doing God’s will and telling others. Our food should be like that of Jesus to do the will of God. If Jesus received spiritual nourishment from doing God’s will, then shouldn’t we?

Many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the Samaritan woman’s testimony. How many people will be drawn to Jesus because of our testimony?  The Samaritans came to see for themselves. A person may be drawn to Jesus, but each person needs a personal encounter.