Wednesday: Philip and Nathanael
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 23rd of October 2024
Read John 1:43-46. What did Philip’s message reveal about his faith in Jesus already?
Philip was from Bethsaida, as were Andrew and Peter. He found his friend, Nathanael, and told him about Jesus. John the Baptist had called Jesus “the Lamb of God.” Andrew had told Peter that he had found “the Messiah.” But Philip calls Jesus the one Moses and the prophets wrote about and adds the name “Jesus of Nazareth.” His reference to Nazareth sets off a sharp reaction from his friend.
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Nathanael seems to have been prejudiced against the little town of Nazareth. Surely a king would not come from such a wayside location. Prejudice easily blinds the eyes from seeing people for what they are really worth. Philip seems to have recognized, possibly from previous conversations with Nathanael, that the proper way to deal with prejudice is not some exalted philosophical or theological argumentation but rather to invite the individual to experience the truth personally for themselves. He simply said, “Come and see.” And that is exactly what Nathanael did. He went and saw.
Read John 1:47-51. How did Jesus convince Nathanael of who He was, and what was Nathanael’s response?
Missing between verse 46 and verse 47 is the crucial detail of just how Nathanael responded to Philip’s invitation. He got up and went to see, however. His friendship with Philip was stronger than his prejudice, and his life would be changed from that moment on.
Jesus says nice words about Nathanael, calling him an Israelite in whom there is no deceit (John 1:47), a great contrast from what Nathanael had said about Jesus (John 1:46). Nathanael responds with surprise because he had not met Jesus before.
Then Jesus refers to seeing him under a fig tree, and this small statement convinces Nathanael. Jesus, by divine insight, had seen Nathanael praying, searching for truth under that tree (see Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, Pages 140, 141). Nathanael then makes an exalted confession, calling Jesus Rabbi, the Son of God, and the King of Israel. Note how this seemingly small revelation leads to a grand confession of faith.
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In the naivety of my youth, I thought that explaining what we believed was the key to winning souls. I found out the hard way that I was not a good explainer. The people I tried explaining to always had a better explanation of their own. I wasn't quick enough in my thinking to come up with answers.
Philip had the best answer: "Come and see!"
It reflects the same idea the Psalmist had when he wrote: "O taste and see that the Lord is good" Psalm 34:8
I was interrupted while writing this comment this morning because it was time to go grocery shopping. Mango season has just started so I bought two ripe mangos for breakfast over the next few days. I love mangos and could describe their delicious aromatic sweet taste with persuasive language. Or, if you lived near enough, I could simply share the mango with you.
Philip's invitation to "Come and see!" is the experiential approach to sharing the Gospel. When we offer the invitation to "Come and see!", what are we offering? A finely crafted argument, or a relationship with Jesus.
Wonderful insight Maurice. Just to build on what you've shared, I think another wonderful thing about the invitation to come and see is that we are not told what we will experience in advance. Phillip doesn't pre-empt Christs wonder by telling Nathanael, "Come and see Him turn water into wine", or "Come and see Him walk on water". The invitation was to simply come and see.
Christ then proceeded to meet Nathanael at his point of need, or as I like to say, his point of vulnerability. Christ showed Nathanael that He knew him and that He knows the wants of Nathanael's heart; Jesus knew the search for truth that Nathanael had been on under the fig tree.
This is a telling culmination of the story because it shows that Christ will not meet you where you want Him to meet you or in the way you want Him to appear. Christ will reveal Himself at your point of vulnerability in a way unique to you, if you simply come and see.
A loving friendship with someone who will always love them, no matter what.
So since mangos you can pick from a tree in your local, then blueberries must be a rarity? I feel sorry for you. Oh well I don’t believe Philip or Nathaniel found blueberries on the table either. I could do with date, mangos and carob trees. Just like the love of God, we get our fill of desserts. I tell people to keep up the good work, so here it is Maurice keep up the good work for us or if you prefer at-a-boy. 😊
Hi John, we pick both mangos and blueberries at the local supermarket. Mangos come from Queensland and Northern Territory. Interestingly on our recent trip to Queensland we were too early for their mango season. Blueberries are grown just north of here where they used to grow bananas. They are a warm climate variety and to be honest dont have the flavour of the cold climate varieties. Both fruit are reported to keep me healthy.
I believe that "Come and see" is better than anything I could come up with. Extremely wordy. With "Come and see" they are unable to see in one visit. It is our savior we need them to meet. Then again, if we have been living the way we should, they have already met him. They just might not know it.
I believe my 21st century-version of Philip's 1st century "Come and see" invitation is like the song says:"This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine . . ."
How can I keep the experience to myself when God's love catches me? A genuine relationship with the Creator makes me appreciate His character and see how dependent I am on His mercy.
As Seventh day Adventist, we always try to make a sermon out of a question. I never saw the “Come and see” as a big invitation.
Antoinette, sometimes we need a paradigm change. If the local gas station were giving away free gas, the local grocery store giving away groceries, or even the local bank giving away money, we would feel compelled to check it out and would probably wait in long lines to receive our share of the "freebies". Knowing Jesus is worth infinitely more than all of these combined. To anyone, like myself, who has tried living life without Him, it really is a big deal!
Nathanael was praying and seeking for truth. However he never expected that for whom he searched would come from such a humble location. Prejudices and pre-conceived ideas sometimes prevent us from sharing Jesus with all men. May we pray that whatever prejudices or pre-conceived ideas we may have be surrendered to the will of God.🙏 Let us invite all men to "come and see". My prayer this morning is for a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and that I will experience a deeper intimate relationship with the my Creator,Saviour and Lord.
When we "come and see", or in today's vernacular, "come see for ourself", "check it out", or "look into it", whether it is out of curiosity, doubt, or skepticism, the Holy Spirit has gone before us to stir up our curiosity, doubt, or skepticism. He stirs up the "fallow ground" of our heart to consider things which we had previously dismissed or not even considered.
After we "come and see", we are compelled to "go and tell". I call it show, and tell. Then we invite others to "come and see for themselves", "check it out" or to "look into it".
Today, the invitation to “Come and see” takes on a different meaning because Jesus is not physically present with us. Instead, He dwells within our hearts, which is then manifested in our words and actions. When we tell people about Jesus, are they seeing Him in our actions and learning about Him from our words? If we were being accused of being one of Jesus’ disciples, would we be found guilty? Would our lifestyle condemn us?
Today's lesson was good because we live in a world of prejudices or pre-conceived ideas regarding people, places and things. Many times the idea of something differs in reality. Jesus showing his grace, extending love towards Nathanael speaking highly of him although Nathaniel hadn't initially did the same towards Jesus allowed Nathaniel to open his heart to Jesus amongst other things which changed his life forever. A lesson that as a Christians we must always combat hate with Love, prejudice with patience, etc. Jesus is the ultimate example.
Prejudice – preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. [Oxford dictionary] Forming an opinion without taking the time to evaluate for oneself the truth of a matter. Being closed-minded - prejudiced - causes the shortsightedness which is so prevalent in our day and time. Prejudice regarding spiritual matters leads to the hardening of ones heart and spiritual blindness.
That Nathanial seems to have been quite skeptical is ok; it’s actually better than being disinterested. Yes, he had a preconceived notion about Nazareth, but at least he had enough curiousity to find out if Jesus was actually someone to take serious.
So many people seem to be lacking curiosity about spiritual matters, focusing mostly on how to live the 'good life' within the societal parameters. To convey to them that there is more to life than food and drink and a roof over one’s head is difficult. The question comes to mind: "can we even reach someone like this, especially someone prejudiced by their good fortune to live a comfortable, materialistic life?"
Nathanael was prejudiced against ‘the little town of Nazareth’, but he was willing to go and find out for himself if he was wrong! I am happy he put aside his feelings and meet Jesus for himself. But what about those who are so prejudiced that they are not interested to hear anything from Jesus?
It's a good thing to read the word of God..Jesus recognized Nathaniel because he had seen him through divine insight going through the scripture
You reply has given me something else to think about. We must be careful. Jesus saw Nathaniel praying and studying. The Come and See we give, might be a person who has been praying and studying.
Greetings all.
I have a question:
Nathanael uttered the prejudicial line, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Fortunately, his friendship with Philip was stronger than his prejudice.
Nathanael as a prejudiced person is like a human view because What was written in the Bible that JESUS mentioned him as an Israelite that has No guiLe.
It's like a contrast of being "No guile" and a prejudiced.
I don't think that asking a question “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” is a measurement of being prejudiced already ...It is just like a question, and it was so clear in the Bible that he was no deceit, no treachery, no dishonesty, He's sincere and upright ...for me, it's not bad or wrong to ask a question.
2nd Corinthians15:2 If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. if we have the taste of being with Jesus, he will show up to us. as Jeremiah 29:13 says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart".
Anderson I like your reference to Jeremiah 29:13. It reminds me of a passage in Christ Object Lessons page 118, which I value.