1.
Preface
Perhaps we need
to be thinking more about those in the community that currently have no place
of worship and don’t know Jesus.
2.
Historical
Context
Jesus was out and
about seeking followers. And Philip was one who followed instinctively. Some
people take a while, having heard about Jesus, to make a decision. Not Philip
it seems. Philip was obviously ready … he’d been prepared somehow; it was only
necessary for Jesus to seek Philip out, and, in a sense, claim his future, by
saying “Follow me”. We, no doubt, see God’s Spirit at work in this; but there
is probably more to be seen. We might see some of the ‘back story’ explained in
verse 44: Philip was from the same town (Bethsaida) as were the fisherman
brothers Andrew and Peter (who had previously become Jesus’ followers). As we
go back in John’s Gospel, we see that before Andrew became a disciple of Jesus
he had been a follower of John the Baptist; and John the Baptist had been
speaking about the One was who coming, greater than he, who would be the
Messiah. So it could be that first Andrew, then Simon Peter as well, were
talking up Jesus all around Bethsaida. And this word spread to Philip. There
could be such a great and immediate response from Philip because the word about
Jesus had already been spreading well throughout his home town. First Andrew,
then Peter, now Philip – who next?
Let’s talk up
Jesus! But, how do we best do this? We have recently spoken of the modern 'Pentecost languages' that effectively cross boundaries. The languages of love, compassion, hope and
integrity. Let’s continue with the text.
No sooner had
Philip begun to follow Jesus, than he thought of another, no doubt a friend,
who should also follow Jesus. This friend was named Nathanael. Clearly the
easiest place to start talking up Jesus is with those that we know, and with
those who know us. Or, is that always the case? Why wouldn’t it be the case??
What gets in the way sometimes … we might wonder? Well probably this should be
the case … sharing Jesus with those closest to us!! The simple statement
“Philip found Nathanael” (v.45) suggests to me that Philip instinctively acted
on his real care and concern for Nathanael (and wanted to introduce him to Jesus).
Philip starts
with where Nathanael was at. Nathanael was obviously a well-taught Jew who knew
the expectations held in the Hebrew Scriptures toward the coming of a Messiah.
Some commentators suggest that the later reference to Nathanael being seen
sitting under a fig tree (v.48), suggests that he was praying or meditating on
the scriptures, and thus was a seeker ready for the right invitation. If this
is true, then certainly Philip was ‘right on the ball’! How many people I
wonder, are just waiting for a credible and sincere invitation?!?
The new
revelation for Nathanael was that the Messiah had come, and, perhaps
outrageously at first hearing, he was identified as a carpenter’s son from
Nazareth. This particular town Nazareth did not have a good reputation, and
might’ve been, in most people’s minds, the last place to have been the
Messiah’s hometown. So this news was viewed with a little cynicism, maybe also
a bit of suspicion. Was he being spun a tale? Sometimes people just can’t get
past the ‘conventional wisdom’, and see things differently. Perhaps the great
city of Jerusalem would have been more likely. But not only was Jesus born in
humble circumstances in Bethlehem, but he had been brought up in the working
class of Nazareth.
We encounter
cynicism and suspicion at times – fair enough, we shouldn’t be defensive about
this. Sometimes we have to clear up other people’s misconceptions about Jesus,
whatever they might be. I hasten to say that we would want to do this gently!
Our mindset would be to clear up certain misconceptions … to make Jesus more
understood and more accessible to people. For example, we don’t have to attain
to any level of acceptability to be welcomed by Jesus – just come as we are,
and let Jesus do the rest. We can see this in the ‘works in progress’ that
Jesus took on as disciples.
Nathanael had
assumed certain things about the Messiah, maybe such things had been rammed
down his throat for years; which may have made Nathanael less likely to
appreciate Jesus. Nathanael may have expected more of a regal king type figure,
but then had to get his head around Jesus being a real everyday human being.
But this has to be balanced, and later Nathanael would experience the other
side of Jesus – an all-seeing, all-knowing Divine God. Ultimately Nathanael
would say, “Teacher, you are the Son of God … You are the king of Israel”
(v.49)
How did Nathanael
get here?? What was the turning point??? Philip gave Nathanael a point-by-point
intellectual argument!?! NO HE DIDN’T!!! Philip’s response to Nathanael’s
initial confusion was “Come and See” (v.46)! And it was to “come and see” that
Nathanael responded positively … in the next verse we see Nathanael heading in
the direction of Jesus.
In the case of
Philip and Nathanael, this “come and see” was a direct introduction … an
introduction from which a relationship could begin to develop. As Philip
directed Nathanael toward Jesus, Jesus was already on the march toward
Nathanael. And what did Jesus say? Did Jesus say anything about Nathanael’s
shortcomings … did Jesus remark on Nathanael’s negativity toward Nazareth??
Jesus actually picked up on the most positive aspect of Nathanael’s life that
he could (refer verse 47). Jesus truly encourages Nathanael toward faith.
Nathanael was already a truthful and genuine person (“in whom there is no
deceit” – v.47) … all he really lacked was a relationship with Jesus. There are
so many good people who simply lack a relationship with Jesus to make them
fully whole. On the other hand, we know there are many strugglers who need a
whole of lot of help, but their greatest need still remains … a relationship
with Jesus.
How then can our
conversations direct people toward Jesus?
Just as Philip
started his witnessing with where Nathanael was at – pointing towards the
source of his traditional spiritual hope, Jesus started their relationship by
pointing towards Nathanael’s area of strength. So, this suggests to us again
about starting where other people are at … engaging with how they are
experiencing life and how they are responding to life’s happenings.
We know that
bringing people to Jesus is something we can trust – we can trust that Jesus
will work with people in exactly the way they need to be. So where we have
engaged with others and opportunities present themselves, and there are most
likely more opportunities than we at first recognise, our response can be like
Philip’s … “Come and see”. But, in these days where Jesus is not
physically present, we have to ask, ‘Come where’ and ‘See what’?? We’ll return
to this.
3.
Contemporary
Context
This passage,
through the ministry of Philip and Jesus, and the response of Nathanael, gives
us some indicators concerning our public witness to the good news of Jesus. Any
thoughts on this so far??? What would be important to remember?
(a)
Desiring – wanting to tell. Do we want to share
about Jesus? When opportunities arise for us to speak, this would largely be
about what Jesus has done for us … in a real and personal sense, more so than
just doctrine. Are there people who we really want to introduce to Jesus? If we
find this difficult, might it be because we are not at the moment open for
Jesus doing new things in our lives … thus we haven’t much of great worth to
share about!?! Effective sharing comes through the stories of what God is doing
for us right now!
Philip having experienced Jesus as the Messiah immediately wanted
to tell Nathanael about this. The “we have found him … [speaking of Jesus]” in
verse 45 suggests to me that Philip was excited, full of faith, and confident
in his discovery; which led him to an almost instinctive or spontaneous desire
to share with others. This might have come over as the greatest discovery
Philip had ever made, which of course it was!
NB. We should practice telling our stories of God’s various
blessings with each other, which strengthens and reassures us in the desire to
tell these to others.
(b)
Discerning – knowing what to say. Are we listening well enough
to both God and our friends, that we know what to say to them, to effectively
lead them towards Jesus? Are we prayerful about this?? To effectively share
such good news as Jesus is, we have to listen well and know where we can make
the connections in terms of where another person is at. The key discerning
question to prayerfully consider is: ‘Where are they at’?
Philip
understood Nathanael’s theological mindset and background beliefs, so that he
started at exactly the right place (verse 45).
Jesus
started his interchange with Nathanael warmly with encouragement, which
creatively opened up the possibility for further conversation (verse 47). This
links with what I said recently about ‘good news’ needing to be received as
‘good news’ for it to have the desired effect. Judgment, condemnation or
superiority will likely have directly the opposite effect. Jesus restricted his
condemnation to the ineffective ‘religious elite’, rather than the general populace.
(c)
Inviting – this is the “Come and see” thing. But,
come where; see what? Any ideas? What have you done that has worked well??
Come where?
Anywhere that will take a person forward on a journey of faith. Could be
church, or a small group – formal or informal, or an activity. Could be simple
hospitality. Could be the local café. Could be down the path of practical help.
Could be sharing in another person’s burdens, or advocating for them through a
particular trial … ‘standing in the breach’. It could be standing up to be
counted – making a difference on a bigger scale … ‘repairing the streets’?
How can people practically make a difference for Jesus, say, in
their place of work or recreation?
Could just simply be an invitation into sharing life with us, so
that over time the Jesus in us will be revealed.
[We are quite programmed to this “Come and see” idea. We get a new
house, a new car, a new guitar, a new puppy, a new baby … “come and see”! So it
shouldn’t be too hard to let this flow into our new spiritual discoveries.]
(d)
Demonstrating – this is more the “see” bit … see what?
See what? Jesus
in us, and in the way we live our lives. Seeing how people care. See how people
gather together in Jesus’ name, support one another and achieve together all
sorts of good community-building objectives. Ultimately seeing that God is
alive and active … living in the hearts of people, and drawing close to all
those who are suffering.
When Nathanael came into Jesus’ company he began to experience
someone who loved him dearly, knew him well, with the potential of experiencing
even more remarkable things. This, for Nathanael, was worth attaching himself
to. Hopefully people might see something in us worth investigating!?!
I think the ‘seeing’ will happen gradually over time for most
people. This ‘seeing’ is a process – that starts with acceptance and belonging
… being welcomed and included; then becoming … gradually becoming the person
each person was created to be; and ultimately believing … believing who Jesus
is in total, and accepting Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Part of the ‘seeing’ is
in the ‘showing’ or ‘demonstrating’, people being reflections of the Jesus that
is seen in the Gospels.
4. Prologue
The ultimate goal of
witnessing (to our faith), is that people, our friends and neighbours, our colleagues
and acquaintances, also become disciples of Jesus. These new disciples then
become partners with Jesus in the ongoing quest for more disciples.
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