The Gospel of John: John 1.43-51

Read and meditate on John 1.45, 46.
Found, found, found! That word excited the apostle John. Generations of faithful Israelites had been waiting for the “Consolation of Israel.” Now they had found Him! As John emphasized this verb in the story of Andrew and Peter, so he does again here. Philip was so moved by Jesus, that he ran to tell his friend. It’s exciting to find people who find Jesus through you.

                                                         ⁴⁵Then Philip ran
and found Nathanael, saying, “We have found
Him, of whom ancient holy words abound
in all the Law of Moses, also from
the prophets – Jesus, son of Joseph, come
from Nazareth.” ⁴⁶And Nathanael said, “Can from
that lowly city any good come?” “Come
and see,” said Philip.

- John 1.45, 46

Reflect
1.  Philip and Nathanael must have been friends. Philip was excited to have been found, so he spared no time in finding his friend with the Good News. How can we keep that enthusiasm and joy alive for seeking the people in our Personal Mission Fields? Complete this prayer: Lord, find me today, all over again. Come meet with me, and show Yourself to me afresh, so that…

2.  What does it suggest about Nathanael that Philip leads off his message with a reference to the Old Testament Scriptures? Is this necessarily the way to begin every Gospel presentation? Explain. Lord, give me wisdom to…

3.  But suppose someone did ask you for some references to Jesus in the Old Testament. Where would you turn? Why is it important to show that Jesus was foretold in the Law and Prophets of the Old Testament? Give me one Old Testament witness to Jesus to meditate on today Lord, and I’ll share it with…

4.  Philip’s mention of Joseph suggests that he and Nathanael may have known him, or at least, known who he was (he seems to have died by now, see on John 2). Jesus, it appears, has a solid provenance in Nazareth. Wait a minute: The Messiah is from a hick town? Where’s the glitz and glamor in that? Nazareth was not a good place. The Messiah, everybody knew, would be good. In what ways? Keeping in mind Genesis 1 and Psalm 27.13, what would that word good have suggested to faithful Israelites? How do you experience this good news? Lord, teach me to know Your goodness. Help me seek Your goodness in my life and…

5.  We note that Philip didn’t try to argue Nathanael out of his skepticism. He simply said, “Come and see.” How would you encourage someone to “come and see” Jesus today? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“‘Come and see, [Philip] says. Sight will suffice for faith. All you need to do is talk with him, and you will be all the more ready to confess and say without hesitation that he is indeed the expected One. But we must also believe that there was a divine and ineffable grace flowing from the words of our Savior that proved alluring for the souls of his hearers. … For since his word is mighty in power, it is also efficacious to persuade.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

If people are to see Jesus today, it will be first in us, then second, in the Word of God. If the Word of God is in us and growing, Jesus Who is the theme of that Word will show through us to others, and we will know where to point them in Scripture to see Him more clearly. This is what it means to be a witness for Christ, like John the Baptist was – by life and by words. In what ways are you seeking to show Jesus to the people in your Personal Mission Field?

Closing Prayer
His name shall endure forever;
His name shall continue as long as the sun.
And men shall be blessed in Him;
All nations shall call Him blessed.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen.

Psalm 72.17-19

Psalm 72.15-20 (Martyrdom: Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed? )
Let Christ be praise, and all the gold of Sheba be His right;
Let blessings to His Name be told, and prayers made both day and night.

And let the earth abound with grain, let fields His fame proclaim;
And may our King forever reign, and nations bless His great Name.

Now bless the God of Israel, Who wondrous works performs.
And bless His Name, His glory tell both now and forevermore.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.