John 1:43-51

July 26, 2019 | 3 minute read
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Scripture Reading:

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

 


Devotional:

“Come and see” (John 1:46). When Philip uttered those words, he was simply imitating Jesus. Jesus found Philip and said, “Follow me” (John 1:43). Immediately Philip followed Jesus’ example by using the same words Jesus had just used with the first two disciples, “Come and you will see” (John 1:39). In response to Nathanael’s derogatory comment about Nazareth, it is Philip who said, “Come and see” (John 1:46). With this simple response Philip does not allow a stereotype about Jesus’ background to cause Nathanael to miss out on a personal relationship with Him. “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” responded Philip (John 1:46).

In a society where many have stereotypes about Jesus or “those evangelical Christians,” simply inviting your neighbour or co-worker to come and see who Jesus is for themselves might be all it takes for them to have a personal encounter with Him.

According to a recent poll 82% of the unchurched are likely to attend church if a friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member invites them.1 I am a witness to this truth in my own family. My parents do not come from Christian homes, but I was blessed to grow up in a Christian family because when my mother was a teenager someone invited her to Sunday school. My children have fond memories of their first Children’s Pastor who became a follower of Jesus because her friend simply invited her to come to the youth group at church when she was in high school. Sometimes all it takes is one invitation.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (John 1:47). No deceit—the irony of those words is not lost on Nathanael. He had just dismissed Jesus because of Jesus’ Nazarene heritage. Jesus responded by referring to Nathanael’s heritage as a descendent of Jacob2 but refused to label him accordingly. By doing so, Jesus pointed out Nathanael’s mistake of judging someone by their background. Jesus then revealed to Nathanael that He knew him even before Philip called him. Nathanael was won over and proceeded to declare that Jesus is the Son of God!

Nathanael, the cynic, was not won over until his encounter with Jesus took place. Knowledge was not enough. Philip told him who Jesus was, but Nathanael did not know the truth about Jesus until he has had his own personal experience. Evidence becomes convincing when it is appropriated personally. Philip barely knew Jesus, but his testimony bore fruit because it pointed to Jesus.

Perhaps the only thing your skeptical neighbour needs to meet Jesus is a simple invitation to your next small group BBQ, “Come and see.” Perhaps you have a co-worker who is critical of evangelical Christians because of how they are portrayed in media. Instead of entering a debate or becoming defensive, maybe a simple invitation is all that is needed, “Come and see.”

 

1 According to the same poll, only 2% of church members invite an unchurched person to church. https://factsandtrends.net/2013/04/08/just-ask/ Although the research is from the U.S. and the percentages may be different, the lesson for us in Canada is similar.

2 The name Jacob means “deceiver” – or, one who pulls your leg! (Genesis 25:26)


Prayer:

Jesus, we ask that you open our hearts and eyes to opportunities to invite others to, “Come and see.” Amen.


Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks
registered by Biblica, Inc.®

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