As we've studied through this story of what it's like to become a disciple of Jesus, let's recap some of the bigger picture applications in this story from John 1:43-51.
One day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip there and said to him, "Follow me." Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
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."
Nathanael: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
Philip: "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming and said to him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"
Nathanael: "How do you know me?"
Jesus: "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
Nathanael: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
Jesus: "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these. Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
One day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip there and said to him, "Follow me." Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
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."
Nathanael: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
Philip: "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming and said to him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"
Nathanael: "How do you know me?"
Jesus: "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
Nathanael: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
Jesus: "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these. Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
- Disciples have an encounter with Jesus. Philip and Nathanael were just ordinary men living their regular lives until they had an encounter with Jesus, but this was just the beginning of their walk as disciples. Philip was called directly by Jesus while Nathanael was called through the outreach efforts of Philip. We encounter Jesus in different ways, but its important that we have an encounter with Him. Disciples Path says, "There's no template for receiving the call to follow Jesus. There are no magic words you have to say and no amount of steps you must follow in order to officially be considered a Christian. Instead, followers of Jesus are simply those who respond to His call."
- Disciples are transformed by Jesus. How was Philip transformed about he met Jesus? He sought out people that he cared about and told them about Jesus. He didn't say, wait I have to study and learn a lot to become a mature Christian first. He began telling others what he did know about Christ. Look at Nathanael. He was a little more resilient to the gospel message at first. But once he had an encounter with Jesus, that all changed and Nathanael began worshipping Him. Have you had that kind of transformation in your life? Do you remember it vividly? If not, maybe now is your time to seek Jesus and have that encounter with Him.
- This encounter and transformation was just the beginning for Philip and Nathanael. They each went on to serve faithfully in the church, grow in their knowledge of Jesus, and were eventually martyred because of their faith. They continued to grow and mature throughout their lives, and we should be doing the same. Learn more each day about our Lord, trust in Him more each day then the day before. The encounter is just the beginning, but it's the first step to greater things.
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