John 1:43-51
Whatever you are doing right now, imagine a knock at your door. You go to open it, and find Jesus standing in front of you. He says two words: " Follow me".
When Simon Peter and Andrew heard these words they were casting their fishing nets into a lake. (see Matthew 4:18-20) Jesus said "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men". The men followed immediately!
James and John were in a boat with their father Zebedee when Jesus called to them. They immediately left the boat and their father to follow Him.
Now we come to Philip in John 1:43. The other four men dropped everything and immediately followed. Philip left to find Nathanael. He gives Nathanael the good news - "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." As you read on you'll see that Nathanael was a little skeptical about Philip's claim. It was only when Jesus appeared and spoke to Nathanael personally that he believed.
Jesus finds each of us, and calls "Follow me." How will we answer His call?
Will we need to leave our career behind to follow immediately, like Simon Peter and Andrew? Or will we need to get out of the boat, leaving family to obey Jesus' call as in the case of James and John? Philip left to tell someone else about Jesus, Nathanael had to see for himself before he believed.
How will you respond when Jesus calls "Follow me"?
Am I skeptical or question when someone shares their beliefs or viewpoint with me or do I take their word as truth too readily? Am I "following" what they say instead of seeking the Lord's truth for myself? Maybe I should be more like Nathanael. Like you said Kathy, he didn't take Philip at his word but had to see for himself who Jesus was. We too should test everything making sure it lines up with His word and character. Then Jesus called Nathanael a true Israelite, an upright and honest man without deceit. He knew what had transpired under the fig tree and Jesus liked what he saw. Nathanael was refreshingly honest and straightforward when talking with his friend about Jesus. God doesn't like hypocrites. Do I sometimes act or speak more "Christian" at church and then another way when no one is watching? He doesn't want us to pretend to be what we're not or act religious or follow someone else. What will Jesus find me saying and doing under my fig tree? Trying to please man or Him? Being honest or putting on a show? I so want Him to find me faithful and true, but to be honest He may only find a woman with weaknesses and flaws who knows she can do nothing apart from Him. God knows every hair on my head, every unkind thought, every wrong intention, every word I will speak, accepts every imperfection and loves me anyway. When we truly know that, how can we do anything else but lay down our nets in gratitude and love and follow Him.
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