We see the first two disciples that Jesus calls today, Andrew and then Peter. There’s a lot that we can consider in this passage. First, we can remind ourselves of who our Andrews are, who told us about Jesus. Second, we can ask ourselves, who do we need to tell about Jesus? We see in all of this that they were seeking to know who Jesus was. Friends, if we seek after Jesus, we will find Him. He is there. If we seek, we will find.

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Good morning! It’s good to be with you on this Friday morning as we continue our time together in John’s Gospel. Today, we’re going to finish off John 1 by reading verses 43 through 51.

In this passage, we see another example similar to the call of Andrew and Peter. Jesus calls Philip, who then goes to his friend Nathaniel and invites him to meet the one Moses and the prophets wrote about. Nathaniel’s initial skepticism about anything good coming from Nazareth is a reflection of the common prejudices of the time. Despite his doubts, Nathaniel follows Philip’s invitation and has an encounter with Jesus that changes everything.

It’s important to note that even though John’s Gospel doesn’t rely as heavily on the Old Testament as Matthew’s, it still emphasizes its importance. The Bible is a continuous story, not just a collection of individual books. Understanding the Old Testament is crucial to fully grasp who Jesus is and what He does. From the very beginning, God’s plan of redemption through covenant is woven throughout the Scriptures, starting with the promise in Genesis that the offspring of Adam and Eve would crush the serpent’s head, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

Nathaniel’s initial response, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” is an honest reflection of the biases of that time. Nazareth was a working-class town, often looked down upon. Nathaniel almost missed out on knowing Jesus because of his preconceived notions. This serves as a reminder to us to be careful not to judge others based on where they come from, their appearance, or other external factors. We can miss out on what God wants to do through them or how they can impact our lives.

I remember a lesson I learned as a young Christian when I was quick to judge someone based on their appearance. I was proud of my faith and thought I had everything figured out. One day, I saw a man in the cafeteria with tattered clothes and unkempt hair, and I looked down on him. But then I saw him pray before his meal, something I had forgotten to do. It was a humbling experience that taught me not to judge others before getting to know them.

Nathaniel nearly missed Jesus because of his initial judgment, but Jesus saw beyond that and called him anyway. Today, let’s be mindful of how we approach others. Let’s be curious and kind, ready to see what God might be doing through them. Who knows what great things could happen if we do?

Thank you for being with us today. Have a great weekend! On Monday, we’ll dive into John chapter 2, where we’ll explore the first miracle—one of the best stories in John. Can’t wait to dig into it with you. Have a great weekend!