John 1.43-51
43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Thoughts: I like Nathanael! He's a pure skeptic, but with an open heart. Philip had been found by Jesus and invited to "follow me." Now in his excitement Philip goes and finds his friend Nathanael and tells him that they have found the Messiah, a Jesus from Narareth. Now Nazareth was known as a kind of blue colar place that certainly wouldn't produce anyone or anything of much importance. Nevertheless, Nathaniel goes with Philip and has an encounter with Jesus. We have to read through the lines, but it appears that Nathanael must have had some kind of personal prayer or spiritual experience underneath a fig tree--one that was very private. When Jesus proves that he is more than meets the eye, Nathanael is ready to follow. I think it's natural to be a bit skeptical. But I learn one important lesson from Nathanael...don't be so skeptical that you miss an opportunity to see Jesus!
Your thoughts: What is it about the Christian faith that makes you a bit skeptical? Have you ever had your initial skepticism proven wrong? Do you have prejudices like Nathanael that might get in the way of your faith? (nothing good can come out of Nazareth)?
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