Philip and Nathaniel

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Gallilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

It’s possible that Philip may have heard about Jesus through Andrew and Peter, since they were from the same town.  As for Jesus’ words, there’s nothing dramatic about this statement.  It’s simple, and was quickly obeyed. 

I wondered how many people have simply heard about Jesus and believed Him, yet long for a more dramatic “testimony.”  I love to hear about a young person who came to faith at an early age, who simply “opened the door” as did my friend Aaron, at the age of 4.  From that time, he followed Jesus, just like Philip did.

Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, “we have found Him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Philip went to find his friend and tell him about Jesus.  This statement fights against the idea that you must have some theological knowledge to “evangelize.”  You only need to tell who Jesus is and what has done for you.  Aaron’s brother Josh at about the same age went with his parents to the Rose Parade.  It’s kind of a tradition—everyone camps out the night before.  Josh was somehow separated from his parents, and about the same time they started looking for him, he came back with a 6’4” biker in tow.  “Daddy, this is Bill.  He wants to ask Jesus into his heart.”  Although not a trained evangelist, Josh shared the words that melted that giant’s heart, and he came to Christ.

And Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

Nathaniel is prejudiced about Jesus because of where He came from.  In this he follows the religious Jews, who believed Jesus to be the illegitimate son of Joseph. 

We need to be careful of our prejudices.  We don’t even realize sometimes that we have them.  I think about my own life, and how I felt about African-Americans.  I had been raised by parents who lived in the generation of people who thought a certain way, and while there was no overt prejudice, per se, there were little jokes and snide comments that subtly swayed my opinions toward dislike of people who were different than I.  Later, when I was old enough to judge for myself, I realized the error and corrected it. 

It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t have a prejudice about Jesus.  Either they’ve been raised in a church who taught (perhaps subtly) that Jesus was almost effeminate, powerless, weak and helpless in the things that occurred in his life; or in one that taught God is angry, wrathful, and frowningly disapproves of all mankind, and is waiting with upraised fist to strike against us at the first sight of error.  Nathaniel thought Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah because of the kind of reputation the town had had.

I love the repeated invitation—“come and see.”  I think of the woman at the well.  “Come and see a man who told me everything I’d ever done.”  The invitation is to find out for yourself if Jesus is the Messiah.  Philip doesn’t try to argue against his prejudice, he only invites.  That’s what we need to do, too.  Simply invite people to come.  Sweetly, simply live out our faith and let the truth of Jesus shine through.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

Jesus knew Nathaniel, in fact He had seen him before Philip called him.  David Guzik comments:

“‘Under the fig tree’ was a phrase Rabbis used to describe meditation on the Scriptures.”

Philip may have been sitting under an actual fig tree, but I think what Jesus is telling him is that He saw him in the secret place, where we go to spend time with God, who sees us. 

God sees you in the secret place.  He knows your heart.  Are you meeting Him there?  He longs for that time…do you long for time with Him?

"Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Nathaniel now claims to believe Jesus is the Messiah.  His testimony is added to Philip and John.  In telling this prophecy, Jesus referred to the story of Jacob, who dreamed about angels going up and down a ladder.  Jesus said angels would be ascending and descending on Him.  He is making the statement that He is the “ladder” or means for us to get to heaven.

It is also possible that this was the very scripture Nathaniel had been meditating upon.  That’s just like the Lord, to look at right where we are and use it to enrich our knowledge of Himself.

Again, Guzik’s commentary:

Jesus says that He is the ladder, the link, between heaven and earth. When Nathanael comes to understand that Jesus is the mediator between God and man, it will be an even greater sign (you will see greater things than these).

What is your testimony of Jesus?  Who is He in your life?  Whom have you told of Him? 

I want to have the testimony that I am certain about who He is, not unlike the “old-time” religionists, who stated “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.” 

Dear Abba,

Thank you for the testimony of those who have gone before me, who affirm that You are who You say You are.  Thank you for the gift of faith in my own life.  Help me to be a witness of You, like Philip and Nathaniel. 

Please let me see and understand more of You so that I can share You with others.  Give me more of Your Spirit, and help me to have the eyes to see You working in the lives of people around me.

Love,

Donna