In John 1:43-50 Philip tells Nathanael what he believes about Jesus. When a question is raised, Philip simply says “come and see.”
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“Come and See”
John 1:43-50
- Jesus continues to assemble his group of disciples in our passage of the day
- We’re introduced to both Philip and Nathanael
- Jesus asks Philip to follow
- Philip then speaks with Nathanael, claiming he has found the Messiah
- The interaction that happens next, between Jesus and Nathanael, is extraordinary
- It proves what Philip said is true
- Nathanael was speaking with the Son of God
- “Come and See” our theme from John 1:43-50 today
- When a person tells another about the Savior, it is only the beginning
- We can give someone details about who He is
- Tell them what He has done for us
- And why we have come to the conclusions about Him that we have
- This can get things moving
- But “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”
- They need to hear from Him – hear His word
- Our desire is for them to meet Him personally
- That is exactly the case here
- Philip tells Nathanael what he believes
- When the slightest obstacle is raised by Nathanael
- Philip simply says “come and see”
- We pick things up in verse 43…
John 1:43-46
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
- Jesus finds Philip and says “follow me”
- Philip knows who he is following
- This is the promised Messiah
- The One spoken of by Moses and the prophets
- He wants Nathanael to know and to follow too
- But he has a negative view of the place where Jesus grew up
- He wonders if anything good can come from Nazareth
- But Philip has an answer for his skepticism
- He knows that if Nathanael comes to see him
- Jesus’ authenticity will become obvious
- There will be no mistake about who He is
- This turns out to be the case…
John 1:47-48
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
- Jesus said Nathanael was an Israelite that could be trusted
- There was no deceit in him
- How could a man that didn’t know him – know him?
- How could a man who hadn’t seen him – see him?
- Who was this man?
- How did He obtain this knowledge?
- How was any of this possible?
- Nathanael makes the connection…
John 1:49-50
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
- Jesus knowledge about Nathanael made a lasting impression on him
- He understood what this all meant
- He was speaking with One that knew all things
- One who could see into men’s hearts
- Who could be in a place without actually being there
- But this was only the beginning for Jesus’ disciples
- They would see greater works from Him
- Even doing some themselves
- In the pursuit of verifying His identity to others
- Philip and Nathanael were committing to follow the rightful king of Israel
- The Son of God
- The perfect, sinless sacrifice who would die in their place
- And they would follow Him up until that day – then far beyond
- You’ll find Nathanael listed under the name Bartholomew if you search out His disciples
- He and Philip were likely martyred for their faith
- Nathanael likely in India
- Philip likely in Hierapolis
- They were some of the lesser known disciples
- But their commitment, even from this passage alone, is clear
- This was not a phase for them or a passing interest in the latest popular teacher
- When they found the Messiah, they committed to Him
- Their minds were made up
- Their beliefs were only confirmed more and more through time
- They would see and hear more of Jesus’ knowledge of all men
- They would observe (in person) many prophecies fulfilled in Him
- And Philip’s assertion “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write” would be proven again and again
- Not sure about Him yourself?
- “Come and See”
- His authenticity is declared through “many infallible proofs”
- Paul outlines it in a gospel declaration from…
I Corinthians 15:1-8
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
- The proof of this Jesus’ authenticity as the Savior was seen
- By many
- More than 500 at once
- Those who honestly examine His life, death, burial, and resurrection
- Come to know Him as Lord
- Just as Philip and Nathanael did here