43 The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do You know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
REFLECTIONS
Written by Charis Ould
This passage follows on from Jesus calling the first disciples. He continues on to Galilee, and there he finds Philip, and tells him to follow him. This passage reminds me that it is God who brings people to himself. We could never find Jesus on our own, but it is only through Jesus seeking us out and reconciling us to him that we can come to him.
After Jesus finds Philip, Philip then goes and finds Nathanael. He encourages Nathanael that Jesus is the one they have been waiting for, the one who will fulfil all God’s promises through the Old Testament of a saviour, prophet and king. For some strange geographical reason, Nathanael is sceptical – “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” I love Philip’s response: “Come and see.”
So Nathanael takes up Philip’s invitation to come and meet Jesus, but before Nathanael can even reach him, Jesus already knows exactly who he is. He recognises that Nathanael has followed the Israelite law, and is waiting for the one the prophets foretold. That is why Nathanael recognises that Jesus is the Son of God and king of Israel. I’m encouraged that Jesus knows us even before we come to him! He can see our hearts and our intentions. And if we follow him, he promises that we will see even greater things than these.
In the same way that Philip went to find Nathanael after Jesus had found him, I am reminded that I have been found by Jesus and should find others! Christmas is such a wonderful opportunity to do that. Last year at our carols we sang a great song called “O Come and See,” by Nikki Chiswell. I think it reflects this well. Christmas isn’t just about Santa, or food, or presents; it’s about what God has done by sending Jesus.
We have been found by Jesus, so let’s find others and invite them to come and see!