John 1:43-51. Faith Comes to an Honest Doubter
Jesus decided to leave the crowds in Judea and move up to Galilee. We are not told the reason for this but we are told, simply,
“Finding Philip, he said to him ‘Follow me’.” John 1:43
Jesus took the initiative with Philip, just as he does with each of us. The Greek tense used is a continuous imperative, it means, ‘Keep on following me’.
To believe in Jesus must mean to follow him for life. Following Jesus is a key idea in both Matthew and John’s gospels. (See Matthew 4:19, 8:19, 8:22, 16:24, 19:27 and John 1:37, 1:38, 1:43, 10:4, 10:27, 12:26, 21:19) It is striking that one of the first things Jesus said to Peter was:
“Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:19
At Peter’s final meeting with Jesus, after the resurrection, Jesus again said to him,
“Follow me.” John 21:19
The last words Jesus said to Peter emphasised this:
“You must follow me.” John 21:22
I was talking this week to a person who had been baptised as a teenager but had given up following Christ. That is not what Christ calls us to do. He has called his people to be a perpetual burning torch or light for him.
The point of discipleship
‘Lights’ in those days brought fire to anything inflammable. Christians are now the ‘light of the world’ so that others can catch fire with the light of Christ. This is what happened to Philip when he met the ‘light of the world’ - he immediately becomes a source of burning light to his friend.
“Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘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.” John 1:45
Some churches speak a lot about discipleship but too few explain why people should be disciples and how to become a genuine follower of Christ.
This chapter opens with Jesus living in eternity but then he enters this world becoming described as ‘the Word’ – he is the means by which God communicates with every man. John the Baptist is then introduced as as a witness who testified about ‘the light of God’. The first 18 verses are full of the truth that Jesus brought into the world; it does not stop at revelation but with application. Everyone must act on this information. The question is whether we will obey God and become a disciple of God’s Son or not. The message God wants everyone to grasp is then stressed,
“Yet to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
In the past there used to be some who revelled in being perpetual students, such as Richard Grimsdyke, the permanent medical student in ‘Doctor in the House’ - always giving the appearance of learning but never achieving much. Some in our theological colleges spend their lives studying and debating but never come to being the sort of disciples God requires. There are also, unfortunately, some in our churches who love attending services, hearing sermon after sermon, attending Bible Study after Bible Study and church meeting after church meeting, but whose only friends are within the church. Such people are consequently at risk of being ineffective in showing Christ to those who most need him in our society. The Plymouth Brethren got into this rut with their exclusivity and inward looking character - and they have largely disappeared. We should instead be children of God who, like Jesus, are burning lights to those all around us, whatever their nationality or creed.
In this account Philip, Nathanuel, Andrew and Peter all become followers of Jesus – that is the focus we are meant to see. In the Bible the word ‘knowledge’ is both an intellectual or academic understanding of the truth but also a personal knowledge, a coming to know and live for someone. This personal dynamic relationship with Jesus is the only means of being saved. and everyone should be encouraged to ask whether they really have this personal relationship.
The way Philip introduces Jesus to his friend is interesting, he refers to the prophecies in the Old Testament Scriptures.
“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.” John 1:45
This must mean that Nathanael was fairly well versed in these Scriptures and in all likelihood the two had discussed questions about the Messiah previously. Note that he talked about Jesus as a person. He didn’t philosophise about God, as some clergymen of television do today. God had entered this world as Jesus, the Christ – God’s chosen king.
The road to discipleship is normally another person
Most of us became Christians because we were introduced to Jesus by another person. In this account Jesus finds Philip but immediately Philip goes to find Nathanael. Just as the previous paragraph was all about Peter and how he came to faith, so this paragraph is all about Nathanael. Both Peter and Nathanael were found by a friend. This is the normal way God shares the gospel but it is not the only way. There are occasional stories of God speaking directly to people through dreams or through picking up a Bible, or having a spiritual instinct stirred by something that happens, but even then God nearly always involves another person to teach the gospel. This is important because all Christians are called to become members of God’s team, his church. Isolated Christians are not what he is looking for.
A friend can introduce us to Jesus in various ways. They may bring us to church, chat with us or lend us a book but what is infectious is that gentle enthusiasm which says ‘I’ve discovered the answer to life and long for you to know him too.’ This story is how a Jew becomes a Christian. This is significant, as although the early church consisted mainly of Jews it quickly opened up to Gentiles who became equal members of God’s kingdom. John is thought to have written this towards the end of his life. In his gospel, when he uses the word Jew, it is usually in a hostile context; Jews in authority disliked Jesus and what he taught. It is therefore all the more striking that at the beginning of his gospel he introduces us to a Jew who is a sincere and genuine person. Nathanael is at least willing to meet Jesus. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching he said to those around him,
“Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” John 1:47
Jesus called out this man’s character before they had met, so demonstrating his divine omniscience. The use of the word Israelite is striking. The Jewish patriarch, Jacob, had his name changed to ‘Israel’ when he met with God. He had been a conniving scoundrel. One translator of this passage put it like this,
“Behold an Israelite in whom there’s no Jacob.”
Nathanael was like the elderly priest Simeon who went to find the baby Jesus when he was brought to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord. We read of this good man,
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Luke 2:25
The reason that Nathanael was not a Christian was not because he was insincere or determined to be worldly but because no-one had previously explained the truth to him. When he was told, he addressed his initial doubts and then became a follower of Jesus and ‘The Way’. It wasn’t a bolt from heaven, or a voice in the night or a sudden experience but because Philip came, with an excited grin on his face, and said,
“We have found the Messiah! Come and see!” John 1:45
It is not easy to win friends for Christ but it is so encouraging to know that God can use each of us. For myself a day seldom goes by without speaking to someone about the Lord Jesus, it is not difficult if you are motivated and practice. What is fascinating is to see how many people are eager to talk. This week a man visited our house and he started to talk about the lack of morality in business today. It was easy to ask whether he had a faith that was the basis for this way of thinking. He explained that he had gone to church as a child and had even been baptised as a teenager but had lost his old vibrant faith and no longer went to church. We had a thrilling discussion and as he left I gave him an article entitled, ‘Who will be saved?’ and he promised to get hold of a copy of the book ‘Cure for Life’. Who knows whether this will encourage him back to Christ. Subsequently an e-mail was sent encouraging him to keep in touch. My job is now to pray for him.
It has been calculated that if everyone of us found one person for Christ each year the whole world would be converted within 15 years!
Too often people think of evangelism in terms of mass crusades but crusades don’t work without ordinary Christians sharing their faith in Jesus with friends, family and neighbours. In Acts 8, Philip was told to leave a very successful evangelistic campaign in Samaria to go down through the desert in southern Judea. There he seemingly met by chance the Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ethiopia who was reading the Bible as he travelled slowly in his chariot and who, when approached, asked Philip, ‘What does this mean?’ Philip led him to Christ there and then.
Such stories are unusual, but if we all prayed to be led to a sincere person who is a seeker after God who is waiting for someone to point out the way. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each us us set ourselves to pray every day for such opportunities. Don’t forget, if you are now a Christian, that undoubtedly someone put themselves out in order to share the gospel with you.
Was something else happening in Nathanael’s mind?
Nathanael asks Jesus,
“How do you know me?” John 1:48
Jesus doesn’t go into the fact that God knows everything about all of us, our thoughts, temptations and interests. Instead he makes a cryptic statement that at first seems strange.
“I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” John 1:49
The obvious question is, “What was Nathanael doing under that fig tree?” We are not told any more but it was clearly something special to Nathanael. Had he had some spiritual experience? Had he been thinking about Jacob’s ladder? Had he been thinking about being baptised by John? Had he been praying that the Messiah, whom John the Baptist had talked so much about would reveal himself? Nathanael was obviously all on his own under that tree yet God knew of the experience he had had. No-one else knew, but Jesus did! God really is omniscient. He really is the one John the Baptist had talked about when he said,
“Among you there stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John 1:27
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
“I have seen and testify that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34
Something like this must be the explanation for the rapid response, his public declaration about Jesus,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” John 1:49
Jesus commented on this,
“You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” John 1:50
Jesus then switched from speaking just to Nathanael, using the singular, to using the plural.
“He then added, ‘I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” John 1:51
This again is a reference to Jacob, the original Israelite. In Genesis 28 the story is told how the scheming Jacob had stolen the birthright from his older twin Esau by beguiling his elderly blind Father and was then fleeing for his life. That day he had travelled over 40 miles across the wilderness and he stopped in a deserted valley for the night. He took a stone for a pillow and laid down to sleep in the open air. It was there that God comforted him with a dramatic vision,
“ . . . he saw a stairway (or ladder) resting on the earth with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said,: ‘I am the LORD, the God of you father Abraham and the God of Isaac . . .” Genesis 28:12
It is significant that when Jesus recounted this story he changes one of the words. The angels are now ascending and descending not on a staircase or ladder but on Jesus himself. The connection between the Lord God in heaven and man on earth is Jesus himself. We all need to understand what Jesus is claiming so early in his ministry. There is no doubt about what he is saying. Jacob learned that although he was running away, the Lord God still loved him and cared for him although life was tough – all he had was a stone to lie on!
Angels
The reference to angels is important. Jacob was told about angels to reassure him. The New Testament reassures us that there are these spiritual beings that are usually invisible but who do protect us.
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14
Nathanael and ourselves are being reminded that God is closest to us when life is hard and even when friends, family and even God seem a long way off.
Over a hundred years ago a Scottish missionary, John G. Paton and his wife were working in the New Hebrides and they found themselves in a village that was surrounded by cannibals and savages who were intent on killing them. The couple fell to their knees in their hut and prayed that God would protect them. They spent an awful night, repeatedly hearing the screams of the tribesmen outside. However, when the sun rose in the morning, all was quiet and they were unharmed. The natives had retreated back into the forest. Naturally the missionaries were amazed but thrilled and they spent the day rejoicing. A year later the chieftain of the savages was wonderfully converted to Christ. The Paton’s then asked him why they hadn’t been killed that night. The Chieftain replied in surprise,
“Who were all those men who were with you?”
“There were no men with us, just my wife and myself”
The chief became irritated.
“But there were hundreds of tall men in shining garments with drawn swords circling around your place so we couldn’t attack you.”
Such stories are uncommon but the Paton’s had no doubt that that night their guardian angels had shown themselves.
When Israel was at war with Aram, God gave Elisha insights into the movement of the enemy troops, giving the Israelites a distinct advantage. Spies discovered that Elisha was staying in the city of Dothan, so the king of Aram surrounded that city. Panic must have been everywhere, Elisha’s servant asked
“Oh, my Lord, what shall we do?” “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more that those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16
Elisha prayed,
“‘O Lord, open his eyes so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17
When the enemy advanced, Elisha prayed that they would be blinded and that is what happened! He was able to lead the enemy into the city of Samaria where the troop’s eyes were opened. The point is that our God is also a real God who cares passionately for his people.
We will encounter prejudice
In looking to win people for Christ, we mustn’t be surprised when we encounter prejudice.
“‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.” John 1:46
John delights to confront us with the difficulties we will face as soon as we open our mouths for Christ. A little later he again reminds us that this will happen.
“‘How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?’ Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.” John 7:41-42
Undoubtedly these Jews had been taught something about the Messiah at the synagogue schools. From the account of the wise men visiting King Herod the Great, when they were looking for the newborn child who was the Messiah, we know that the Messiah’s birth place was widely recognised. When Herod asked ‘where the Christ was to be born,’ the chief priests and teachers of the law immediately replied,
“In Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah; out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:5-6
No wonder Nathanael was dubious about what he was told. Nazareth was a dump of a village up in Galilee. Nathanael knew this as he came from nearby Bethsaida. The likely site for Cana was just a few miles north-east of Nazareth. What he did not know was that although Jesus was born in Bethlehem, his family moved back to Nazareth where he was raised.
The majority of the difficult conundrums some people put forward are just a smoke screens to try and hide a refusal to take God or Jesus seriously but for some doubts are the road to a real faith. If the gospel is true then there will be answers to the big questions. Nathanael was such a sincere man with genuine questions that needed to be answered. The problem Philip had was that he didn’t know the answers. So he gives a classic answer, and this is perhaps a hint by John as to how we should face up to questions that stump us. He simply said,
“Come and see.” John 1:46
When Nathanael meets Jesus he can ask him all his questions directly. What a lesson this is for us. When difficult questions are hurled our way, such as, ‘Do you believe in hell?’ ‘Is homosexuality a sin? ‘Is it always wrong to lie?’ or ‘How can a man be God?’ the wise person will not give their opinion but will ‘Blame Jesus’, and refer everything back to him. Then the argument will no longer be with us but with Jesus himself. We must learn to introduce people to Jesus.
Many people in our secular societies have many questions and it is reasonable for them to seek out answers. Many people will attend a Bible teaching church or Bible Study group for considerable periods before finally committing themselves to Jesus. People today wonder how anything in the Bible can be relevant to life in the twenty-first century, when it was written many thousands of years ago. The best answer still is, ‘Come and see!’ The pages of the Bible do give us real answers to the deepest questions about life. For many ‘Religious Education’ at school was a complete bore and totally irrelevant to us, but one of the remarkable changes that occur when we become Christians is that the Bible becomes alive and God speaks to us through it. ‘Come and see!’
Sincerity is rewarded by discovery
Nathanael had prejudices that undoubtedly came from the way he had been taught but there was nothing false about him. He was willing to investigate the claims of Christ, despite his reluctance to accept these claims at first sight. His initial reaction was that this claim was rubbish, ‘It couldn’t be true, it must be wrong!’ but because of the genuineness of Philip and what he had heard of Jesus, he was willing to investigate even though not yet persuaded. It is thrilling to meet people who are in similar positions, they are not sure but are willing to investigate. We regularly hold Exploring Christianity groups, usually with a supper before, and it is so encouraging to see all sorts of people coming to enquire. Sincere doubt should be a road to faith, it is not the opposite of faith. Books and Christian literature can help many find that the answer to their deepest need is to be found in the person of Jesus.
Pat and his wife appeared one day in our local church. Not recognising them I went to sit next to them. After the service they were invited to come for coffee in the adjoining church hall. As we left the church he explained that he had come to our church as a result of attending an evangelistic evening we had held the previous evening in a local school. We started to chat after the service,
“Well, its great to see you here. But do you mind if I ask you a question, are you a convinced Christian yourself or are you unsure about these things?’
“Hmm,” he replied, “I would describe myself more as being a convinced churchman, but my wife Kathleen is a convinced Christian.”
“Would you like to sort this all out? Why don’t you come and join us at a Christian Basics group we are starting this week, with a supper before hand.”
“I would like that,” came the surprising reply.
Pat and his wife did join that group and there his many questions were answered. He began a personal relationship with Christ that lasted for the rest of his life. He had previously been on a local church Parish Church Council for many years but unfortunately he had never learned the difference between being a churchman and being a personal follower of Jesus Christ – he was now Christ’s-man, a Christian.
For Nathanael meeting Jesus seems to have answered his prejudices. Jesus not only reveals the heart of God to man but also reveals the heart of man to himself. As we follow him we learn so much about ourselves and our selfish ways, as well as a kind side that needs fostering.
His immediate reaction was to confess his newfound allegiance to Christ in front of others.
“Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” John 1:49
One of our great problems today is believing what we believe. However what is vital is that we can say with Nathanael,
“Jesus, you are the Son of God, you are my king and my Saviour.”
More to come
The initial road to faith is to recognise who Jesus is, but that is just the beginning of an exciting life of faith centred on living with and for him. Nathanael was brought to faith because Jesus answered whatever went on under that fig tree.
“Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.’ he then added, ‘I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’”
Nathanael had concluded that Jesus was ‘the Son of God’ but Jesus’ first testimony about himself was to call himself ‘the Son of Man’. He was emphasising his voluntary humanity and the humiliation this involved. Jesus is both the ‘Son of God’ and the supreme ‘Son of Man’. Nathanael had much more to learn about Jesus and every Christian discovers more and more about Jesus as we live closely with him.
BVP
