Nathanael - John 1:45

John the apostle wrote how two of John the Baptist's disciples began to follow Jesus,and “one of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother He first found his own brother Simon, and said unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jona: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and said unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter”, and in chapter one and verse forty-five of his book, John shared how, “Philip found Nathanael” where we read:

Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

The verse reads, “Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, ...” John began with the words, “Philip” whose name means “lover of horses” “found Nathanael” which means “met, came upon and observed Nathanael whose name means gift of God”, “and said unto him” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to Nathanael”, “We have found him” which means “we, the other disciples and Philip, have discovered, came upon and observed the One”, “of whom Moses in the law” or “who Moses that means drawing out and was the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion within the rule, command and observance of which is approved of God”, “and the prophets” which means “and the ones moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organs or spokesmen who solemnly declared to men what they have received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”, “did write” or “wrote, delineated or formed in letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material”. John shared how “Philip” went and “found Nathanael” and told him that he and the other disciples had discovered the One who was written about in advance by “Moses” and “the prophets”.

The verse goes on to say, “... Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” John continues with the words, “Jesus of Nazareth” which means “Jesus, whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate who was from the town or village of Nazareth which means the guarded one”, “the son of Joseph” or “the male offspring and progeny of Joseph whose name means let him add”. John shared how “Philip” told “Nathanael” that “Jesus” who was from “Nazareth” and was “Joseph's” male offspring.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn about another “disciple” of Jesus. This time “Philip” becomes like an evangelist as he “found” “Nathanael” and told him about “Jesus”. God's plan of salvation for mankind was coming together, and this early selection of His men who would share the gospel around the world should make all who truly consider it yield to the “Lord and Savior” who takes away the sin of the world. Everyone who believes and trusts in Jesus as God's “Christ” and Son will be saved from the penalty for their sins and inherit everlasting life with God.

Next time John shares how Nathanael asks, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".