Philip Announces the Christ to Nathanael

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
  • 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.

“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…

“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.