Can Anything Good Come Out Of Nazareth? Come And See.

-December 30, 2022-

Good morning, happy Friday,

(John 1:45-46).

“Phillip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Phillip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also in the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’”

In the early days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He called twelve disciples whom He chose to be apostles. Andrew told his brother Peter; and Philip told his friend Nathaniel. In both cases these two men, Phillip and Andrew were the first witnesses and missionaries. The same should true of us: our missionary work must begin with family and friends before we attempt to tell the world. Like us, these two men had the best news to share that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah that they were all looking for in Israel.

Andrew did not come to argue or debate with his friend the case that Jesus was the coming Messiah. Nathanael was a thinker, one who was naturally skeptical. He asked one interesting question, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Phillip replied simply, “Come and see.” Our mission is the same: tell others what we have seen and heard. A personal testimony is always the most powerful tool we have at our disposal to use with people. People can challenge our doctrine or even our beliefs, but they can’t refute our changed lives. Jesus changes lives when one comes and sees.

The city of Nazareth had a bad reputation. The Roman presence in Nazareth was repulsive to the Jews, and they avoided going there. Though it was in Israel, it was an Arab not a Jewish town. So many didn’t trust the people there and considered them like spies or even traitors. All this may have been swirling in Nathanael’s mind. Though Jesus was really born in Bethlehem, many in His day didn’t realize it.

Jesus chose to be called a Nazarene. Many times people called Him this, and in fact Peter and Paul referred to Jesus as, “Jesus of Nazareth” in their preaching of the gospel. Even Pilate wrote this title on the inscription over the cross. John 19:19 says, “Now Pilate wrote a title and put on the cross. And the writing was: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ It was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. This expression is found 21 times in the NT.

Jesus initiated the contact with Nathanael, calling him “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael wondered how Jesus knew him. Our Savior told him that He saw him while he was under the fig tree. Nathanael recognized that Jesus could not have possibly seen him and known him were He not the Messiah. Now he believed for himself. Each person in coming to Christ must make his or her own decision to believe in Jesus and follow Him. Nathanael followed Jesus and became one of the Twelve Apostles.

Let us commit ourselves to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus came to earth to save sinners like us. He chose to take on our human flesh and identify with us, yet without sin. Should we not choose to identify ourselves with Him and stand for the truth? If people hated Jesus, they will hate us also. We simply can say, like Phillip, “Come and see.” When you do, He will save you and change your life forever!

Have a blessed day being His servant and witness. Stay safe and healthy.

Following Jesus every day of the year,

Dean