David W Palmer

Yesterday we saw that when Andrew met Jesus, his first action was to bring his brother to Jesus. This is often the first prompting we receive when we encounter him. We see this confirmed in the next person in the Bible to meet Jesus, Philip; Jesus called him to follow, but first … 

(John 1:43–45 NKJV) The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” {44} Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. {45} Philip found Nathanael 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.” 

The first point we note is that although Jesus personally spoke to Philip, saying, “Follow Me”; Philip told his brother, “We have found …” In saying this, he took credit for bringing himself and Jesus together; whereas in truth, Jesus took the initiative to approach Philip: “He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’” People often mistakenly think that they “found the Lord,” “found religion,” or “found the light”; or that they can return to Jesus anytime they like if they fall away. But Jesus said it is the Holy Spirit who convicts, and that he draws people to himself:

(John 12:32 NKJV) “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

(John 16:8 NKJV) “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

This is why—even though we must invite people to come to meet Jesus—we need to precede and accompany the invitation with prayer. This is so the Holy Spirit can use our invitation to move on them, convict them of their need for Jesus, and draw them to him.

What was Nathanael’s response to Philip’s invitation?

(John 1:46–47 NKJV) And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” {47} Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 

This is amazing; Nathanael came in response to the invitation, despite his intellect and bias telling him nothing good could come out of it. People don’t always show enthusiasm about coming to meet Jesus; yet when they come, Jesus speaks to them. As he did with Peter, Jesus instantly described Nathaniel’s character: “an Israelite indeed”—implying loyalty to God’s purpose for his people; “in whom is no deceit”—a very high commendation from Jesus, which showed no judgment, only acceptance and approval. Then Nathaniel was open and related directly with Jesus, asking questions; and he was very interested in what Jesus had to say:

(John 1:48–49 NKJV) 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.” {49} Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 

After one more word from Jesus, Nathanael had a life-changing revelation; he suddenly believed that Jesus is the “Son of God” and “King of Israel.” And all of this simply because of Philip’s insistent invitation to “come and see.” 

Jesus continued:

(John 1:50–51 NKJV) 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.” {51} 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.”

In response to Nathanael’s faith, Jesus gave him further evidence of his divine identity; he gave Nathanael more revelation, and he showed him an amazing vision of what he would see in the future. Again, all of this in a very short time after Philip’s compelling invitation to “come and see” Jesus.

Today, these passages are showing us the wisdom and importance of inviting people to meet Jesus, urging them to “come and see.” (Of course, we need to precede and accompany this invitation with fervent prayer.)