Lent: Jesus’ Identity

John chapter 1 presents four distinct recognitions of Jesus, each deeper than the last. When Andrew and his companion first approach Jesus, they address Him simply as “Rabbi” or Teacher (v. 38). This represents the initial way many encounter Jesus—as a wise instructor whose teachings merit attention. The title acknowledges Jesus’s authority to interpret truth, but remains within familiar religious categories.

Soon after, Andrew declares to his brother Simon: “We have found the Messiah” (v. 41). This recognition elevates Jesus from respected teacher to the long-awaited anointed one of Israel. The title carries political and eschatological significance, identifying Jesus as the fulfillment of national hopes and divine promises.

Philip further expands this understanding when he tells Nathanael: “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote” (v. 45). This recognition places Jesus as the prophet like Moses promised in Deuteronomy 18:15, the culmination of Israel’s prophetic tradition and the authoritative interpreter of divine law.

The crescendo comes with Nathanael’s confession: “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (v. 49). This dual acknowledgment transcends previous titles, recognizing both Jesus’s divine identity and royal authority. Nathanael’s confession anticipates the Gospel’s central claim about Jesus’s unique relationship with the Father.

Yet Jesus suggests even these exalted titles don’t capture His full identity. He promises Nathanael: “You will see greater things than these… heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (vv. 50-51). The allusion to Jacob’s ladder indicates Jesus as the connection point between heaven and earth, the place where divine and human realms meet.

This progression reveals something deep about spiritual understanding. Our recognition of Jesus rarely comes in a single moment of complete comprehension but unfolds through ongoing encounter. We begin with partial insights that gradually deepen. The journey from seeing Jesus as teacher to acknowledging Him as divine Son mirrors the path many believers travel, a progressive revelation that continues to unfold throughout John’s Gospel and in our own lives of faith.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You who revealed Yourself gradually to those first disciples, we come before You with hearts open to deeper understanding.

When we first meet You as Teacher, grant us the humility to sit at Your feet and learn. May we follow You and embrace your teaching.

As You revealed Yourself as Messiah, open our eyes to recognize You as the fulfillment of ancient promises. May we share our discoveries with eager hearts.

When You appear as Prophet, help us see how You fulfill the law and the prophets. May we invite others to encounter You beyond the limitations of our preconceptions.

And as You stand revealed as Son of God and King of Israel, may we move from skepticism to sincere confession, recognizing Your divine nature and authority.

Yet we know that even these titles cannot contain You. Expand our vision to glimpse the greater things You promised.

Guide us through each stage of knowing You more fully. When we settle for partial understanding, draw us deeper. When we think we have You figured out, surprise us with new facets of Your glory.

May our journey with You continue to unfold, until that day when we shall know fully, even as we are fully known.

Amen.