Second Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, John 1:43-51

John 1:43-51

Most of us spend the days, months and years of our Christian discipleship just wishing it were easier to speak to others about Jesus. In this week’s gospel, we find someone who doesn’t have that challenge. And this young and inexperienced witness is compelling in his simplicity and method. As is always the case, God acts first. And this is such a wonderful example, “The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me” (1:43). That’s it. The beginning of an eternity’s journey with Jesus, the Lord.

There are at least two ways that this gift of life from Jesus to Philip has a direct connection to the Word of God. The first is what we just encountered where Jesus calls out to Philip with an inviting challenge. Philip cannot here know the challenges that will await him, but he readily receives the invitation portion. He most evidently accepts the call and not only follows Jesus but quickly finds someone to bring along. So simple. Direct. And we don’t have any sense that Philip gets hung up on whether his friend, in this case Nathanael, will accept or reject Philip’s urging.

So interaction with the Word #1 is Jesus' call. Next is the reference that Philip makes in his witness to Nathanael: “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (1:45). Philip had heard the call from Jesus directly, but when Philip brings Nathanael he references an authority that he will acknowledge readily. In essence, Philip claims, “Moses wrote about this guy. I’m not kidding, friend. He’s the real deal. The one we’ve been waiting for.” So there is a great deal of teaching here on bearing witness of the Savior. Following Jesus wherever he leads and simply grabbing someone else to go along for the ride.

One other point comes to Nathanael when he has his own personal interaction with his Messiah. When Jesus dazzles his new, young follower with his supernatural knowledge about himself, Jesus teaches a truth to which we all need to give heed, and Moses realized this, too. Jesus tells Nathanael not to be so impressed with Jesus’ works as with His identity. “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see  heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (1:51). Hearing the Word of God is a gift beyond blessing, but seeing that Word in the flesh, glorified, stands above all. Moses knew the message. Philip received Jesus’ Word and passed it on. And Nathanael learned to anticipate the great culmination of it all. I’m waiting, too.