January
5, 2003
COME
AND SEE
"Philip
found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found Him of whom
Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth,
the son of Joseph.' And Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything
good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and
see' " (John 1:45, 46, NKJV).
"The
message, 'We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and
also the prophets, wrote,' seemed to Nathanael a direct answer
to his prayer. But Philip had yet a trembling faith. He added
doubtfully, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' Again
prejudice arose in Nathanael's heart. He exclaimed, 'Can anything
good come out of Nazareth?'
"Philip
entered into no controversy. He said, 'Come and see.' Jesus
saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, 'Behold, an
Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!' In surprise Nathanael
exclaimed, "How do you know me?' Jesus answered and said
to him, 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the
fig tree, I saw you.'
"It
was enough. The divine Spirit that had borne witness to Nathanael
in his solitary prayer under the fig tree now spoke to him
in the words of Jesus. Though in doubt, and yielding somewhat
to prejudice, Nathanael had come to Christ with an honest
desire for truth, and now his desire was met. His faith went
beyond that of the one who had brought him to Jesus. He answered
and said, 'Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King
of Israel!'
"If
Nathanael had trusted to the rabbis for guidance, he would
never have found Jesus. It was by seeing and judging for himself
that he became a disciple. So in the case of many today whom
prejudice withholds from good. How different would be the
result if they would 'come and see'.
"While
they trust to the guidance of human authority, none will come
to a saving knowledge of the truth. Like Nathanael, we need
to study God's word for ourselves, and pray for the enlightenment
of the Holy Spirit. He who saw Nathanael under the fig tree
will see us in the secret place of prayer. Angels from the
world of light are near to those who in humility seek for
divine guidance."-- The Desire of Ages,
pp. 140, 141.
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