Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ – John 1:45
The saying goes, “He knows just enough to be dangerous!” Sometimes it’s not enough to know a little about a subject; you must have full knowledge to know the possible consequences. In other instances, the courage to forge ahead even when you are unsure of all the answers to questions someone might pose to you is enough.
In today’s verse, Philip looked for Nathanael to tell him that he had met the Messiah. How did he know? For Philip, it was not blind acceptance of Jesus; it was knowledge of the Scripture that was spoken by Moses and passed from generation to generation. Moses, himself a prophet of God, prophesied that “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you” (Deuteronomy 18:15). Philip knew that Jesus was the One. When Nathanael doubted, Philip invited him to “Come and see” (John 1:46). That was all it took to move Nathanael toward Jesus.
Believer, are you timid in your approach to people about your faith because you think you won’t have the answers to questions they might raise? Are you fearful of their response? It is time to have courage! If you know Christ as your Savior, you know enough to share your testimony of what He has done in your life. Invite others to have that same saving relationship with Him. Jesus came “that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). Pray that you would do your part in this Christmas season to spread the news of Jesus who was born with a purpose. Then pray for this nation that hearts would be open to the love of the Savior.
Today’s Verse: John 1:45
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 3:7-18
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
