Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus was frequently called Rabbi, which means a teacher. But as Nathanael comes to realize, Jesus is not just another religious instructor. He is the Son of God.
John was one of the first to recognize this fact when he saw the Holy Spirit come upon Jesus at His baptism. Naturally, John spreads the word about who Jesus really is.
At that point, some of John’s followers begin to follow Jesus. Andrew was one of them. Andrew promptly found his brother Peter and told him – “We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
The Rabbi is quickly gaining new students.
Soon Phillip is added and he recruits his friend Nathanael - We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
This is how it goes. Students of the Teacher tell others about Him and one by one they too enroll in the University of Jesus.
The classroom is every moment of every day, because the Teacher is always personally present with every student.
The course of study? Jesus.
It isn’t just information about Jesus students seek, but transformation of life to become more like Him.
Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?"
ReplyDeleteNathanael seems skeptical. Makes me wonder what kind of a whole in the wall town Nazareth was!
Nathaniel isn't unlike many other people - for whatever reason - people are skeptical of Jesus. They were in Bible days. They are today.
Some are leery of religion. Some may think that the Bible is outdated. Some may be under the impression that to follow Jesus is a restrictive and dull lifestyle. For a variety of reasons, people are often skeptical.
This doesn't discourage Philip.
"Come and see," said Philip.
Philip is convinced. He doesn't try to over pursuade or argue - he simply lays an opportunity out there - come and see. And Nathaniel gets the experience of a lifetime.
How are we at sharing our excitement about following Jesus?
How are we at simply offering people to come and experience what Jesus can do for them?
How are we at living an exciting life following the Teacher so that others wonder what it is about us that makes us different - so that by our lifestyle itself we will make others curious about Jesus?