Thursday, August 8, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
John 1:43–51

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (NRSV)

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Reflection

Philip and Nathanael are drawn into Jesus’ orbit in two different ways. Philip, called directly by Jesus, becomes a bridge to Nathanael. His testimony is simple yet compelling: “We have found him about whom the Prophets wrote.” Nathanael’s skepticism is rooted in the prejudice against Nazareth. Yet, Philip’s invitation, “Come and see,” is simple and direct.

Nathanael is going about his daily affairs when Jesus sees him and approaches him. Nathanael asks how he knows him, and Jesus says simply, “I saw you under the fig tree.”

Like Nathanael, into our lives, Jesus comes. Into our lives God speaks our names, doing what we do, sitting where we sit — and waits, doesn’t force the issue; speaks our name and waits as long as it takes — for our response, our trust, and our love.

Lately, I am often overwhelmed by what seems like an insurmountable divide between people who consistently and more and more vehemently perceive the world differently. This is a reminder that I need to take a moment and see others as Jesus does — and meet them where they are.

Philip modeled this for us by extending his invitation to Nathanael: come and see. He spoke soul to soul. He didn’t try to out-argue Nathanael. He, like Jesus, opened the way.

Jesus sees us as we are — the good and the bad — and absolutely loves us. Loves us so much he was willing to die for us. As we let the astonishing love Jesus has for us sink deep inside, we begin to see others the same way as well.

Particularly in the days ahead, what if we made a concerted effort to look upon all others with grace-filled curiosity?

Come and see.

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Prayer
Dear Lord, Spirit of the Living God descend on me today. Thank you for calling my name and loving me as I am. Help me to know what I can do and say, today, in the ministry of your grace-filled love. Amen.

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Written by Marc Miller, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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