Scripture

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me’. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathaniel said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’. ( John1.43-47)

Reflection

For thousands of years the Israelites had longed and hoped for the promised Messiah, who would be sent by God to save and restore his people. Throughout their years of exile, and later, under Roman occupation, they dreamt of a powerful leader who would come with great might to free them from oppression and servitude.

Andrew’s announcement to Nathaniel that he has actually met the one foretold by the prophets, and that he is in nearby Nazareth, is not just an interesting snippet of news, but a communication of earth-shattering, history-changing importance. And Nathaniel, the man from Bethsaida, simply sneers that surely nothing of any worth can come from the despised neighbouring town of Nazareth.

Ingrained prejudice can make us blind and deaf to the truth.

Thank God for Andrew, himself from Bethsaida, who doesn’t argue or remonstrate with his friend, but simply says ‘Come and see’. And Nathaniel comes, sees for himself, and follows Jesus.

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen