Tuesday 9 December, 2014

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip was from the town of Bethsaida. So were Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One that Moses wrote about in the Law. The prophets also wrote about him. He is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael approaching. Here is what Jesus said about him. “He is a true Israelite. There is nothing false in him.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree. I saw you there before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “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 Then he said to the disciples, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You will see heaven open. You will see the angels of God going up and coming down on the Son of Man.”

This is a great story. Jesus is off to Galilee, it simply says He found Philip and said ‘follow me’. I think Philip must have already met Jesus or known about Him. He goes to his mate Nathanael and tells him that he has found the messiah. Nathanael is cynical but when he realises that Jesus knows his heart, he declares ‘you are the son of God’. Jesus says “you think that’s impressive, just wait and see the amazing and glorious things you’ll see soon”.

I like the chain reaction happening here. Jesus calls Philip who tells Nathanael; Nathanael comes to see and Jesus reveals Himself. Nathanael is amazed and believes. Jesus promises greater things than they can imagine.

The Holy Spirit calls, the person responds by coming to see. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus, the person responds with a declaration of faith. Jesus then begins to unfold their new amazing life with Him.

Once I was a Nathanael, now I am a Philip. My passion needs to be making me hurry off to bring my mates to ‘come and see’. God does the rest. He knows their hearts before they know Him. Their response is between themselves and God.

Dear Lord please give me faith and passion to bring my friends to meet you and Lord God reveal yourself to them and amaze them with your glorious promises and power, so they will confess you are Lord, Amen

Written by Dimity Milne