Wednesdays in the Word

When Jesus chose his disciples in John chapter one, he specifically wanted to go to Galilee to find a man named Philip.
Then Philip went and found his friend, Nathaniel. He told Nathaniel, "We've found the One the law of Moses and the Prophets wrote about. His name is Jesus of Nazareth."
Nate had a problem with that location and said "Nazareth? Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
Philip said something so simple "Come and see."
He resisted the urge to get entangled in a debate over the lack of prestige of the place or the Messiah-ship of the Man. He just said "Come and see."
I think this is a great evangelism lesson!
Just a "Hey, come check this out and see what you think." Let them come to their own conclusions and avoid arguments.

Nate did "Come and see" and but before Philip could even make any introductions,
Jesus broke out in a loud voice and said to everyone around:

"Here is a genuine son of Israel -a man of complete integrity!"
I imagine this was rather shocking to Nate, since he didn't even know Jesus.

Then by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus says "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

Not literally 'saw,' because Jesus wasn't physically present. This was a supernatural thing.
\We don't know what Nate was thinking about while under that fig tree but Jesus did.
And he let Nate know that he knew by saying "this is a man of complete integrity."

What if our thoughts were made known? 
Would that be the overriding sum of them? 
That we are people of complete integrity? 
Wow and ouch!

Nate was blown away and on the spot, this former skeptic proclaimed "You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel."

How cool is it that when Philip went out on a limb to invite a friend to a spiritual thing, Jesus not only showed up but he showed off, so to speak. I believe that if we take up that same challenge to invite people we know to 'Come and see' then Jesus will show up!
Mark 16:20 tells us that Jesus will partner with us!
The disciples "went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs."

He will work with us to see that our friends are redeemed, freed, healed and saved. And He will use signs and wonders to do it, if need be! Let's partner with God to see lives changed!

After Nate said "You are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel," Jesus said, "Really? Just because I said I saw you under the fig tree you believe?" I happen to think he was smiling. And then
He said "You will see greater things than these."
Otherwise known as: "You haven't seen anything yet!"
Amen!
I'm sure we haven't seen anything yet either! : )

~Becky