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

John 1:46

For Your Encouragement

Nathanael was a nobody until he got introduced to Jesus. Without Jesus will not be talking about him today. Yet, he questioned the significance of Nazareth when Philip told him about finding “the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (Jn. 1:46). Isn’t it interesting?

It is always a landmark event that throws a spotlight on a town and leads to worldwide recognition. That town becomes significant from that time onwards because of the event associated with it. How many would have known about Hiroshima without the infamous atomic bomb attack that decimated it?

Nathanael could not associate the Messiah with Nazareth. It was so rural and unsophisticated. The King of Israel belonged to a city and a palace. The prophets had His birth marked for Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). So, what was Philip talking about by citing a small town with a bad reputation?

What we all must quickly realize is that the grace of God fills every corner of the globe. So, this was Nazareth’s hour, as much as it was for Nathanael. His snobbery has become proverbial because of his association with Jesus.

We are nobody until Jesus touches our life. He alone is our significance in life. Nothing matters in our lives apart from Him. But we do not come to Him to gain recognition as the world knows it.

Seeking recognition or importance, people force or negotiate their way for selfies or contact with notable politicians, sports figures, entertainers, and entertainers in general. What happens when that person loses power, fame or otherwise falls? I do not have to tell you about the race towards, or away from the two candidates from the recent presidential race in the USA. It speaks for itself on this subject. 

But Jesus gives significance that is matchless and eternal. As Christians, our goal for meaning in life is not to be known by men. It is to be known by God. That is our joy. Jesus marks us with the Holy Spirit for recognition and significance before His Father when we genuinely come to Him for life and to do His will.

If this does not cause you to rejoice and remove your focus from the so-called stars of this world, I do not know what will. Your significance is in Jesus.

So, has Jesus touched your life?