John 1:43-51 Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 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.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 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.”
Reflection
If anyone ever came from a back of beyond town, it was Jesus. Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, sat on a hillside in a remote valley southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Along one of its dusty alleyways, lined with sunbaked mud walls, Jesus’ father ran a carpenter’s shop. Certainly there were no bragging rights about being from Nazareth.
When Nathaniel first heard that Jesus was from Nazareth, he exclaimed, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” But after meeting Jesus, Nathaniel changed his mind. In Jesus of Nazareth, he met the one who fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, the one for whom the people of Israel had been waiting and longing. He had met the Son of God and Son of Man.
Not only had Jesus of Nazareth come to fulfil God’s promises to the people of Israel, but as the Son of Man, Jesus said, he would open the gates of heaven and be the way for all humanity to find peace and full life with God.
The invitation to know Jesus of Nazareth began with a simple invitation from Nathaniel’s friend Philip: “Come and see.”
Won’t you offer your friends today the opportunity to come and see Jesus? Then they too may know his presence in their lives and worship the Son of Man.
Jesus of Nazareth, forgive us when we fail to see who you really are. Help us to recognize you today as King of kings and Lord of lords, and to share you with the world. Amen.
Some of us been having attending church for years and feel we have a right to be here. Some of us are surprised that we are here. Some of us come with confidence. Some of us come with questions, in great uncertainty and even fear. Welcoming God, give us grace to welcome each other into worship. Help us all to be honest with ourselves and with you, to recognise that we come as needy people, yet in your presence we are all equally loved. Teach us to be patient in listening for the word that will guide us in following your Son in the ways of love.
Eternal God, always loving and gentle, Eternal God, always with us, Eternal God, receive us, as in gladness and with gratitude we come to worship you. By the power of your Holy Spirit, give us the enthusiasm of Philip and the wisdom of Eli, and show us again that the breadth and depth of your love surpasses all human generosity.
God, your call has always been surprising. It still surprises us today. Help us to look for you in surprising people. Help us to listen for you in surprising places. Help us to be ready to answer your call Wherever we are Whenever you speak. Amen.
The voice of God that whispers in the darkness Guide us gently to know your truth. The voice of God that calls us by name Strengthen us to accept our calling. The voice of God that cries out in anguish Urge us to do always what is right. May the voice of God speak to us all today Through the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Suggested listening Father I place into your hands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T8759Wdg3U Go forth and tell! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkDD4GiqUEM Just as I am, without one plea Just As I Am, Without One Plea – YouTube
