HIGHLIGHT
John 1:46 (ESV): 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
EXPLAIN
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, John the Baptist saw him and told his disciples that this was the Lamb of God. Two of his disciples began to follow Jesus. Jesus invited them to come after him saying, “Come and you will see.”
The next day, Jesus invited Philip to follow him. Philip then found Nathanael and told him they had found the Messiah. Nathanael questioned this, but Philip simply said, “Come and see.”
APPLY
It is interesting to consider the dynamics of why Nathanael responded to Philip’s challenge. First and most importantly, we should recognize the Holy Spirit’s work in the background.
Second, we notice that Philip challenged Nathanael. “Prove that I’m wrong. See for yourself,” he said, in essence.
Thirdly, however, we assume that there was a relationship of trust built over many years of friendship that intrigued Nathanael and impelled him to trust that Philip was not joking, but serious.
Do we have such friendships with others that will cause them to seriously consider our faith story?
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, help me to develop friendships with lost people that I might influence them to follow you. Amen.