Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Psalms 148-150; John 1:29-51
Come and See – John 1:43-51
43 The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.”
46 Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?”
Philip said, “Come and see.”
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are God’s Son. You are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these! 51 I assure you that you will see heaven open and God’s angels going up to heaven and down to earth on the Human One.”
What does this passage mean to me/us?
We see the beginning of Jesus calling for his disciples. Jesus doesn’t explain why they need to follow nor bribe them to join. He says, “follow me.” And all who met him go out to invite others to the journey.
It is because what Jesus offers is something that cannot be found in this world. It was a realization of the Kingdom of God in this world. It was the hope they saw, which couldn’t be found in this world.
God’s church has to offer the same ‘taste of heaven’ or ‘ hope’ to this world. So like Nathanael, who was skeptical when invited, came and saw what happened, became a follower. We see in the later Gospel that Nathanael was one of the disciples who witnessed Jesus when he appeared at the Sea of Galilee after his resurrection.
Join us in prayer that our church offers this ‘hope’ and ‘taste of heaven’ to this world. Through our worship, through our small group gatherings, please join us and pray that God will work in ways we don’t see. Also, ask God what my role in God’s mission through this church. Then we will see ‘the Son of God; king of our lives.’
Prayer
Lord, help us to see your kingdom come in our lives. In Christ name we pray, Amen.
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