4.4 Philip and Nathanael
Nathanael: From Doubt to Faith

Read John 1:43–46. What does Philip’s message already reveal about his faith in Jesus?

In John 1:43–46, Philip already reveals his deep faith in Jesus. When he tells Nathanael about Jesus, he calls Him “the one about whom Moses and the prophets wrote,” indicating that Philip recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. This recognition attests that Philip had a fundamental understanding of Scripture and was expecting the Messiah. Nevertheless, he remains simple and direct by also referring to Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth.” This precise designation emphasizes that Jesus is not only a heavenly figure but also a man with a specific background.

Prejudice and Faith      

Nathanael’s prejudice against Nazareth, a small and seemingly insignificant town, highlights how easily prejudices can distort the perception of truth. For Nathanael, it was unimaginable that the promised Messiah could come from such a humble place as Nazareth. This serves as a reminder of how often our preconceived opinions and ideas prevent us from recognizing God’s truth.

The Simple Invitation: “Come and See!”

Philip’s response to Nathanael’s skepticism is remarkably simple and wise. Instead of engaging in a theological debate or directly refuting Nathanael’s prejudice, Philip simply invites him: “Come and see!” This invitation shows that the true way to overcome doubts and prejudices lies in a personal encounter with Jesus. Philip had already experienced who Jesus is and trusted that a direct encounter would also reveal the truth to Nathanael.

Significance for Our Lives

This encounter teaches us that faith is not always about complex arguments or proofs. Often, the greatest power lies in inviting others to have their own experience with Jesus. Like Philip, we should help others lay aside their own prejudices and doubts by encouraging them to “see” Jesus personally—through studying Scripture, prayer, and living out their faith. It is a call to be humble and open so that God’s truth can penetrate our lives and the lives of others.

Philip shows us that true faith is not just based on understanding, but on the willingness to lead others to the truth by inviting them to encounter Jesus.

Read John 1:47–51. How does Jesus convince Nathanael of who He is, and how does Nathanael respond?

In John 1:47–51, we see how Nathanael responds to his friend Philip’s invitation, despite his initial skepticism about Jesus. He overcomes his prejudice against Nazareth and decides to meet Jesus personally. This decision marks a turning point in his life, for through this encounter, Jesus reveals something that deeply touches and convinces Nathanael.

The Revelation by Jesus

When Nathanael approaches Jesus, Jesus speaks to him in an astonishingly positive tone and calls him “an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (John 1:47). This surprises Nathanael, who had previously regarded Jesus dismissively. Instead of reprimanding Nathanael for his earlier doubts, Jesus meets him with understanding and recognizes Nathanael’s sincerity. Jesus points out that He has already seen Nathanael “under the fig tree,” implying a private, possibly deep spiritual experience. This reveals Jesus’ divine insight and shows Nathanael that Jesus knows him better than he himself was aware.

Nathanael’s Reaction: Faith and Confession

This simple statement—that Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree—is enough to convince Nathanael of Jesus’ identity. Nathanael suddenly realizes that he is dealing with someone who possesses divine knowledge, and his initial skepticism gives way to deep faith. He responds with an impressive confession: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49). This is a powerful profession of faith, showing how quickly and completely Nathanael was convinced by Jesus.

Significance for Our Faith Life

Nathanael’s experience reminds us that Jesus knows us deeply even before we truly know Him. Often, a seemingly small revelation—a personal encounter or a moment when we sense His presence—is enough to lead us to deeper faith. Jesus meets us with understanding, even when we have doubts or prejudices, and reveals Himself in moments when we least expect it. Like Nathanael, we are called to lay aside our prejudices and be open to the encounter with Jesus that can change our lives.

This story also shows that it is often the personal, intimate moments—like the experience under the fig tree—that deepen our relationship with God and lead us to a stronger profession of faith.

The story of Philip and Nathanael, as described in John 1:43–51, shows us many parallels to our faith life and how we can respond to God’s invitation in daily life. It illustrates how doubts and prejudices often stand in our way, but also how a personal encounter with Jesus can transform our lives.

1. Overcoming Prejudices

Nathanael begins his journey with prejudices—he doubts that anything good can come from Nazareth. In our daily lives, we often encounter situations or people that we quickly judge based on prejudices or preconceived opinions. This story reminds us how important it is to open our hearts and lay aside these prejudices. Often, it is only through openness to experience new things that we can truly recognize God’s truth.

2. Invitation to Encounter

Philip’s simple and wise response to Nathanael, “Come and see!”, shows us that faith is not always strengthened through debates or evidence, but through the invitation to encounter Jesus personally. In our daily lives, we should be ready to invite others to a personal experience with Jesus, whether through Bible study, prayer, or sharing about our faith. This invitation is more powerful than any argument because it brings faith to a personal level.

3. The Personal Encounter with Jesus

Nathanael’s skepticism disappears when he meets Jesus and realizes that Jesus already knows him. This realization—that Jesus saw him under the fig tree—becomes a turning point. In our lives, there are such moments when we sense that Jesus knows us, our struggles, our prayers, and our hearts. These personal moments with Jesus can profoundly change our relationship with Him and strengthen our faith.

4. Growth in Faith

Nathanael’s reaction shows that even small revelations—like the mention of the fig tree—can lead to deep faith. In our faith lives, we often experience similar moments where small but significant revelations about God’s presence and guidance deeply move us. These experiences challenge us to lay aside our doubts and hold firmly to Jesus with renewed conviction.

Conclusion

This story reminds us that faith is a journey shaped by personal encounters with Jesus. Like Nathanael, we are often skeptical, but when we are willing to meet Jesus in our lives, even the smallest revelations can profoundly change our faith. We are called to be open, lay aside our prejudices, and invite others into similar encounters with Jesus. This way, our faith life grows daily and leads to a deeper relationship with Christ.

Be open to God’s guidance, for often the greatest revelations lie in the smallest encounters with Him.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-4-witnesses-of-christ-as-the-messiah-4-4-philip-and-nathanael-themes-in-the-gospel-of-john-living-faith/

October 23, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – John Chapter 17

¹ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

² As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

³ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

⁴ I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

⁶ I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

⁷ Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

⁸ For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

⁹ I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

¹⁰ And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

¹¹ And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

¹² While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

¹³ And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

¹⁴ I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

¹⁵ I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

¹⁷ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

¹⁸ As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

²⁰ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

²¹ That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

²² And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

²³ I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

²⁴ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

²⁵ O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

²⁶ And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

John Chapter 17, known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus, serves as a central conclusion to the Gospel of John and marks the transition from Jesus’ public ministry to His impending suffering, death, and resurrection. In this prayer, Jesus speaks immediately before His arrest and crucifixion, revealing His intimate relationship with the Father, His concern for the disciples, and future believers. This chapter offers deep insights into Jesus’ mission, His unity with the Father, and His plea for protection, sanctification, and unity for His followers.

Commentary

Verses 1-5: Jesus’ Request for Revelation and Completion of His Work

Jesus begins His prayer by asking the Father to glorify Him, just as the Father has glorified Him. This refers to the upcoming events of His suffering and resurrection, which will complete His redemptive work. Jesus emphasizes His authority to grant eternal life and defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ. He acknowledges that His time on earth is finished and asks the Father to glorify Him with the glory He had before the world began.

Verses 6-16: Intercession for the Disciples

Jesus now prays for His immediate disciples. He acknowledges that they have been given out of the world and are under the protection and preservation of the Father. Jesus emphasizes the special relationship between the Father and the disciples and asks for their sanctification in the truth, which is God’s word. He desires that the disciples be strengthened in their faith and kept from evil without taking them out of the world, as they do not belong to the world.

Verses 17-19: Sanctification Through the Truth

Jesus calls for the sanctification of His disciples through the truth, which is rooted in God’s word. He explains that just as the Father sent Him into the world, He is likewise sending the disciples into the world. This sending is a continuation of His own ministry and a sign of the unity between the Father and the Son.

Verses 20-23: Prayer for Future Believers and Unity

Jesus expands His prayer to include all who will believe in Him through the disciples. His desire is that all believers may be one, just as the Father and the Son are one. This unity is meant to be a testimony to the world and to strengthen the belief in Jesus’ mission. Jesus emphasizes that this unity is based on the shared glory that the Father has given Him.

Verses 24-26: Conclusion of the Prayer

In the concluding part of His prayer, Jesus asks the Father that those who believe in Him may also see His glory. He underscores the Father’s eternal love for Him, which existed before the creation of the world. Jesus acknowledges that the Father does not know the world, but He Himself knows the Father and makes the Father’s name known to the believers. This revelation is intended to strengthen the love between the Father and the believers.

Summary

John Chapter 17 presents Jesus’ profound prayer to the Father shortly before His Passion. In this High Priestly Prayer, Jesus shares His desires and requests for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers. He asks for glorification through the completion of His redemptive work, for the protection and sanctification of the disciples in the truth, and for unity among believers that reflects the unity between the Father and the Son. This chapter emphasizes Jesus’ close relationship with the Father, His care for His followers, and the central role of truth and unity in the lives of believers. Overall, John 17 highlights the deep love and sacrifice of Jesus for humanity and His vision of a united and holy community of believers.

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/23-10-2024-john-chapter-17-believe-his-prophets/