A TRUE ISRAELITE (JN 1:45-51)
Prayer:
O Jesus, call me into your presence.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus with his early disciples.
Context:
Peter, Andrew, Philip and Nathaniel are all from Bethsaida. Philip leads Nathaniel to Jesus. This dialogue reveals much of Jesus’ identity. It alludes to Jacob who was filled with guile (Nathaniel has none). Jacob saw angels ascending and descending on a ladder. (Nathaniel will see Jesus with angels). Nathaniel is called Bartholomew in the listing of the twelve apostles.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
The next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee, where he found Philip. Jesus said, “Follow me”. Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathaniel and said, “We have found the one whom Moses wrote about in the law and prophets, Jesus the son of Joseph of Nazareth.”Nathaniel said, “Can anything of good come from Nazareth?” Philip said, “Come and see”. Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him and said, “Behold a true Israelite in whom there is no guile.” Nathaniel asked, “How do you know me?” Jesus said, “Before Philip called you I saw you under a fig tree.” Nathaniel said, “Rabbi, you are the son of God. You are the King of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than these. Amen, amen I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)
- It seems like just a chance happening. Jesus on his way to Galilee comes upon Philip.
- Their meeting has eternal results for Philip and Nathaniel.
- Philip desperately wants Nathaniel to share his faith in Jesus.
- Nazareth is never mentioned in the Old Testament, so Nathaniel must trust Philip’s faith.
- Nathaniel is a true Israelite, without guile (not like Jacob who was full of guile).
- When Jesus uses his prophetic power, Nathaniel believes immediately (he is without guile).
- Jesus promises greater revelations. Nathaniel will see angels accompanying the Son of Man in glory.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, let me meet you today.
- What a blessing to hear your words, “Come, follow me.”
- O Jesus, I will bring others to you.
- Remove my sophistication and make me a person without guile.
- Jesus, you know everything about me. You see me at every moment.
- Someday, I will see you with your angels.
- You are the messiah coming again in glory. I await you.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will believe in Jesus and bring others into that belief.
+ I will think today of Jesus coming with his angels.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
Philip sought out Nathaniel, “We have found the Messiah.”