Can Anything Good Come From …
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 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."
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
-John 1:44-46
It was early in the ministry, Jesus left Nazareth and started to walk from town to town. He saw Philip and asked him to follow. Philip did. Philip found Nathanael and testified about Christ and His work. Nathanael wanted to know where Jesus came from. “Nazareth,” was the reply.
Nathanael was not impressed – “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”
Nathanael saw just the externals – the things that the world sees. He wanted a Savior from a great place, one that commanded lots of people, one that had money and power, one that the people could respect – an earthly king. Instead, Nathanael was confronted with the reality – Jesus was humble, unassuming, from a lowly town. Jesus did not have worldly wealth, command lots of people, have money and power, the people did not show much respect.
The world looks at us here and often says the same thing, “Can anything good come from Sebewaing? Can anything good come from Unionville? Can anything good come from the Thumb?” We live in an area that the world would deem lowly, unassuming, off the beaten track. The world is used to seeing great things happen in the seats of power, money, prestige, worldly wealth.
Yet, great things happen here – for we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We show our faith in our actions, our words. We go about our daily lives in quiet service to the Risen Lord. We celebrate our life eternal and we live our life temporal in service to God. Yes, through the power of the Spirit we can and do great things!
Nathanael saw the power of the Lord. We live the power of the Spirit. I thank God for you and the great things you do!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing us to do great things for You! Amen.
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
-John 1:44-46
It was early in the ministry, Jesus left Nazareth and started to walk from town to town. He saw Philip and asked him to follow. Philip did. Philip found Nathanael and testified about Christ and His work. Nathanael wanted to know where Jesus came from. “Nazareth,” was the reply.
Nathanael was not impressed – “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”
Nathanael saw just the externals – the things that the world sees. He wanted a Savior from a great place, one that commanded lots of people, one that had money and power, one that the people could respect – an earthly king. Instead, Nathanael was confronted with the reality – Jesus was humble, unassuming, from a lowly town. Jesus did not have worldly wealth, command lots of people, have money and power, the people did not show much respect.
The world looks at us here and often says the same thing, “Can anything good come from Sebewaing? Can anything good come from Unionville? Can anything good come from the Thumb?” We live in an area that the world would deem lowly, unassuming, off the beaten track. The world is used to seeing great things happen in the seats of power, money, prestige, worldly wealth.
Yet, great things happen here – for we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We show our faith in our actions, our words. We go about our daily lives in quiet service to the Risen Lord. We celebrate our life eternal and we live our life temporal in service to God. Yes, through the power of the Spirit we can and do great things!
Nathanael saw the power of the Lord. We live the power of the Spirit. I thank God for you and the great things you do!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for allowing us to do great things for You! Amen.