Monday 29 September 2008

Background

John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, commented on thisunusual verse at the beginning of John's Gospel saying "Howcautiously should we guard against popular prejudices? When thesehad once possessed so honest a heart as that of Nathaniel, they ledhim to suspect the blessed Jesus himself for an impostor, becausehe had been brought up at Nazareth. But his integrity prevailedover that foolish bias, and laid him open to the force of evidence,which a candid inquirer will always be glad to admit, even when itbrings the most unexpected discoveries".

This passage shows the paranoia that Jewish audiences of the Gospelwriter's time (the late 1st century AD) had developed about thebeginnings of the 'Jesus movement'. In response, John has thedisciple Philip correct the sceptical Nathanael by inviting him tocome and see Jesus. It was only after Jesus gave proof of hisabilities (by telling Nathanael he knew that he was sitting under afig tree before Philip called him) that Nathanael believed, anddeclared that Jesus was the Son of God and the king ofIsrael.

Nathanael calls Jesus "Rabbi" which highlights his instructionalministry throughout John's Gospel. It is important that John thenused Nathanael, a Jewish man, to declare Jesus the king of Israel.In this way he is affirming the legitimacy and presence of God inJesus' ministry.

Typically, Jesus did not accept any declaration of his authoritywithout qualifying it. He tells Nathanael to expect greater thingsas a follower of Jesus than that he has just seen. In Jesus, theworld of God and the world of humanity are brought together andfollowers see incredible things (like the vision described) inJesus' words, deeds and signs.

And God produces great things from unexpected, neglected places - acarpenter from Nazareth would transform people's livesforever.

Stanley Jones, one of the great missionaries to India said, "Wegrow small trying to be great". When God had chosen seeminglyinsignificant places and persons to do God's mission and ministryin this world, people (such as Nathanael) tended to look at themthrough their stereotypical lenses. But this passage shows that byengaging with such persons great transformations can happen.

To Ponder

In what ways can our Christian fellowship be atransformative space for many to come and see Christ?

At times God speaks and interacts with humanbeings through insignificant persons and places. Can you open yourheart and mind to look out for them? What would help you get overyour stereotypes?