Feb 28thDevotion John 1:43-51 Follow and Know Part 2

John 1:43-51 – 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.”

 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.” I would imagine that every Pastor would like to have people in His congregation like Philip.  We read that Philip is called by the Lord and immediately he follows Jesus and becomes His disciple and grew into one of the Lord’s twelve Apostles.  Philip believed the Lord. This is not a simple belief in how we tend to understand belief.  The Lord does not want us to only believe that He is who He is, but He wants us to prove our belief and trust in Him.  Recounting the old example of a crowd being amazed as it was watching a tightrope walker push a barrel filled with heavy objects across a highly placed tight robe.  The crowd was amazed at his ability.  Several times, to the delight of the crowd, he pushed the full wheelbarrow back and forth across the tight rope.  Finally he asked the crowd “Now that you’ve seen me push the full wheelbarrow across the tightrope do you believe I could put a person in the wheelbarrow and push that person across the rope?”  The crowd yelled out their belief that he could.  He then called out to them “Do you really believe?” The crowd shouted out their affirmation.  Then he said to them “Wonderful!  Now, who will be the first to get into the wheelbarrow?”

Romans 10:9 is often quoted to illustrate that all we need to do to be saved is believe in Jesus.  And that is true as the Apostle Paul wrote. But what is the belief that is needed.  As with the example of the tightrope walker, there is a belief that requires no commitment and there is belief that requires full commitment.  Full commitment is what the Lord requires of us.  Jesus wants us to get into His “wheelbarrow.”  Complete belief and commitment is what Philip had in Jesus and He showed it by going out and expressing his faith to others.  His commitment and his belief were one hundred percent and his actions and joyous words showed it.

Philip’s rock solid belief caused Nathaniel to be curious and excited about the possibility.  Even though Nathaniel had his doubts about a Messiah from Nazareth, Philip’s excitement lit the lamp of curiosity for Nathanial.  No one catches excitement from someone who lacks it.  Consider God and let the fire of your relationship be seen.  You share because your heart and mind demand it.  Your spirit demands it.  People see that, and they want what you have.  Then they meet the Lord and having met Him, they are excited because they have met Him and now they now.

Now Philip did not only not have all the facts (being a new believer) and even the facts he had were not right on.  Jesus, though raised in Nazareth was not born in Nazareth.  The Messiah, as Nathaniel knew, was to be born in Bethlehem.  (Micah 5:2)  Also, Joseph was not His father, God was.  So the presented facts were a little fuzzy but Philip knew he had met the Savior and was convinced of it.  That excitement about finding and knowing the Lord got Nathaniel curious.  After all, Nathaniel also was seeker of God and also hoping to meet the Messiah, the fulfilment of highest hope.

The fire of the love of God in us must burn bright.  Jesus did say that love is the highest commandment (Mark 12:30-31) and He also said that we ought to let our lights shine before all people and glorify God. (Matthew 5:14-16). So we see how powerful, eternal and effective the ministries of God are.  John the Baptist was faithful and prepared the road to Jesus and that led Andrew to follow Jesus.  Andrew believed and acted on it and Peter was saved.  Jesus called Philip and he believed and acted on it and Nathaniel was saved.  God’s Word is alive, perpetual and eternal and so are the ministries that He blesses.  So let God start something eternal in us.  Let us be excited about God and be amazed at what He does through us.  Philip shared and immediately discovered the excitement in sharing His Jesus.  Let us share our Jesus.  What a blessing!

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord!

Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.