Come and See, John 1:45-46

This post concerns a conversion to belief in Jesus.

Come and See discusses the conversion of Nathanael. On the way to Galilee, Jesus spoke to Philip, John 1:44-46, “…Follow me…

…Philip found Nathanael and said… “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth…” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Commendably, Philip based his belief on the Old Testament scriptures. But Nathanael would not discuss the matter due to his prejudice against Nazareth. He could not believe the Messiah would come from Nazareth. Also, prophecy about the Messiah says He would come from Bethlehem, Micah 5:2. “But you, O Bethlehem… from you shall come forth for me one who…ruler in Israel,”

Conversion to Christ of many people today stumbles on this problem of ignorance of the Bible and prejudice.

Not knowing Jesus’ actual birthplace shrouded Nathanael’s mind.

Further, Nathanael’s prejudice kept him from believing Philip.

Philip answered gently, “come and see.”

Jesus saw Nathaniel coming and said, he was an Israelite without deceit. Nathanael asked how Jesus knew him? Jesus said he saw him under a fig tree. That convinced Nathanael, John 1:49. “you are the Son of God!”

So some people today find within their hearts a prejudice against any church that preaches baptism for the remission of sins—also any church that cites scripture for authorization for all its practices. Like Philip suggested, they need to see Jesus in light of what the Bible says.

In addition, the Apostle Paul emphasized the scriptures as being from God, 2 Timothy 3:16. “All Scripture… breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may …complete, equipped for every good work.”

Thus, let us cast aside all prejudice and read, study, and obey the scriptures to please God.

So, what did we learn?

1.Ignorance and prejudice kept Nathanael and keep people today from believing in Jesus.

2.The scriptures can make us complete and pleasing to God.

For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#NathanaelPrejudice #NathanaelIgnorance #BibleFromGodComplete