Lenten Reader | Day 2

February 15th, 2024

Son of God

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 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.”

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

John 1:43-51

Nathanael called him Rabbi, Son of God, and King of Israel. In an instant upon meeting Jesus, it seems Nathanael knew that he knew that this is the one whom he and his friend, Phillip, had been talking about. It seems as though they might have been waiting for him. At the least he would have studied and understood that the Messiah is expected to come. 
  
Nathanael and Phillip were both expectant of God. They were both waiting in anticipation that the Messiah was coming. Not always am I the best example of being expectant of God. I am not always waiting on Him or trying to see what He might want in any given situation. Instead, I try in my own strength and in my own power to get things done the way I would like it. I want to live in expectation that God will show up in my life and my circumstances.  

Later in John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Will we notice when God is up to something around us?  Will we hear His voice when he speaks?  I believe that God is wanting to use us and involve us in His work. I would like to be more like Philip and Nathanael and recognize the Son of God when he speaks. I want to recognize His voice in everyday tasks and relationships with people.

Just like Jesus was with the disciples, Jesus is at work in and through each of us.  Where is He leading You?  Where is He calling you?  Maybe it is just for today. Where is He at work around you and how can you join Him in His work?   

Austin Bonds