Reflection on the Gospel of the Tuesday In The Twenty-First Week In Ordinary Time
John 1:45-51
“We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
- There are two distinct associations in this statement
- The Long awaited Messiah
- Moses had prophesied a time when God would raise up another Leader for the Israelites
- Just like himself
- and greater
- The Prophets down the centuries spoke of a coming Messiah
- One who would redeem and save Israel
- Daniel was influential among these prophets,
- because he had predicted the social conditions which would be in play
- when the Messiah comes; riding on the Clouds
- Moses had prophesied a time when God would raise up another Leader for the Israelites
- Jesus of Nazareth
- Phillip is expressing his faith, already.
- He is identifying the man ‘Jesus,’ coming from Nazareth as this same Messiah/Christ.
- and he is putting forward his ancestry
- as the Son of Joseph.
- The Long awaited Messiah
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
- There were conditions to be met with regards who would be the Messiah
- A direct descendent of David
- Someone born in Bethlehem
- A mighty Warrior
- Someone who would have many soldiers, to fight and overthrow the Roman rule.
- What Nathaniel is asking here is
- (Keep in mind Nathaniel has knowledge of Scripture)
- What do we know of this Jesus
- Is he of Davidic Ancestry?
- Nazareth and the surrounding area was known for
- Many individuals of Davidic ancestry staying in hiding from their Roman captors
- So basically the inference of the rest is that these were cowards,
- not taking their social responsibility seriously
- Was he born in Bethlehem?
- Nazareth is not to be found in any Biblical Prophecies for the coming of the Messiah
- It belonged to the area of the Northern Kingdom (10/9 Tribes)
- Who broke off from the United Royal Kingdom of Israel
- To become the Kingdom of Israel
- Who rebelled against Yahweh
- following other Gods
- The corruption of the 10 tribes had begun in the North.
- The Northern Kingdom was the first to go into Exile
- and the land was fully destroyed.
- and filled with people from other places to further corrupt it
- Nazareth and the Northern Kingdom had no prophetic agency
- except those of Elijah and Elisha
- And following its destruction
- It had no relationship with Yahweh
- To counter this,
- Remember the Parable of the Prodigal Son
- Even if your sins are as red as scarlet, yet I will never disown you
- A light shall shine in the darkness of the Northern Kingdom
- and it shall be like a beacon for all, to hope and believe.
- All speak of a Steadfast God
- who never forgets his covenants
- who does not look at the sin
- but the relationship he has with the person/people
- A loving God…
- Remember the Parable of the Prodigal Son
“Come and see.”
- The response that Phillip gives Nathaniel is marvellous
- It can only be God inspired
- He does not counter the statement of Nathaniel
- Because he knows according to normal understanding of that time, Nathaniel was right.
- Yet the response is laced with what Phillip has seen
- and the conviction he has gained
- it is not argumentative
- The words are a simple invitation
- Do not believe because I say so
- accept this invitation because of our friendship
- come check for yourself
- if you find conviction
- Abide with the Christ
- else, you are free to go your way…
I will extend this same invitation to all of you, Come and See…
- You may not know Jesus fully
- Not understand him
- you may know a lot about him
- but are not fully satisfied
- I invite you to make the Word of God your home
- dwell in it and read it
- daily
- even if you read 1 chapter a day, it is okay
- It has the power to transform our thoughts and minds
- free us from ambiguity and the falsehood of the world
- It draws God to you
- And when God comes,
- He will make his home in you.
