Meditation

Hi there,

Today's verses recall Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman. Jesus knows Nathaniel's heart, and when he makes that clear to him, he is completely overwhelmed.

Just as the woman was overwhelmed when Jesus revealed his knowledge of her sinful life, neither Nathaniel nor the woman could hold back from testifying to Jesus as Messiah.

Far from bringing shame and fear, being known by Jesus liberates them both. Nathaniel overcomes his prejudice, and the woman who once avoided people now openly shares her excitement with them.

Today, when you write the line “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel,” it's a claim you can make for yourself, too. Passed down through centuries from these first disciples to us.

Today's text is John 1:47-49. The verses to copy are in black and red. Yesterday's and tomorrow's verses are in grey for context.

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

⁴⁴ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.

⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

⁴⁶ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

⁵⁰ Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”

⁵¹ He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Encouragement

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.”

Psalm 139:1-2

Andy