John 1:46 

New International Version (NIV)

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

For Meditation

He sat under a fig tree in his hometown, Bethsaida. Maybe, like old Simeon, he was meditating on scripture, as was customary for Jewish men. We don’t know for sure, but what happened next would change his life forever.

Somewhere on the other side of town was Jesus, the Carpenter from Nazareth. He was in the recruiting phase of His earthly ministry. Jesus found Philip and said to him, “Follow me” (Jn. 1:43). Words of authority and conviction! Not forced; just pure outpouring of love. Who can resist its appeal? It’s the same call that goes out every day to people all over the world in one-on-one evangelism. The joy that exudes the contented heart of the recipient of this grace always seeks another to share with. Philip, brimming with this joy, went searching for a dear friend, Nathaniel, with whom to share with.

“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” (45).

Could it be that the two had been discussing the Messiah in their fellowship times together? Philip’s enthusiasm may have sounded like this today, “This is it Nat! We found Him.”

“Nazareth! Can anything good come out of there?” Nathaniel said.

Have you ever run to a friend, brimming with some succulent news you’re sure they would appreciate only to receive such a deflating response?

You sought affirmation but received criticism. You expected your friends to rejoice with you but the heat of jealousy that met you was enough to melt your confidence away as quickly as it came. You anticipated their encouragement, only to receive a flurry of depressing comments. Many have buried their dreams this way; but not Philip. This was real. Jesus was not one of the pretenders of the past. So, Philip was not going to be dismissed by Nathaniel’s stigmatizing response.

“Come and see,” Philip said.

Simple! That’s how to dismantle the unbeliever. As the Psalmist says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Ps. 34:8). The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as the fourteenth century proverb puts it.

With two revealing statements, Jesus destroyed the doubts of Nathaniel (47-49).

1. So, who is the doubter in your neighborhood?
2. Who are they who have dismissed Jesus every time you’ve presented the Gospel to them?
3. Have their responses almost discouraged you?
4. Have you checked your approach?
5. Why don’t you try just a simple, “Come and see” and allow Jesus to do the rest?

Thomas has eclipsed Nathaniel as the ultimate doubter, but he shares a common response to their cynicism – the power of Jesus to neutralize the most stubborn skeptic.

So, let your gospel joy overflow to your doubting friends and family members and see what Christ does when you invite them into His presence, wherever that may be.

Shalom