Daily Word Of God
John 1:45-51
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘From Nazareth? Can anything good come from that place?’ Philip replied, ‘Come and see.’
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There, truly, is an Israelite in whom there is no deception.’ Nathanael asked, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Before Philip came to call you, I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel.’
Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You are going to see greater things than that.’ And then he added, ‘In all truth I tell you, you will see heaven open and the angels of Hod ascending and descending over the Son of man.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Today’s Gospel tells us that Nathaniel is a reflective and prayerful person (“sitting under the fig tree”). Yet, he harbours strong prejudices and doubts about the roots of Jesus.
- However, he is open to Philip’s invitation to “come and see.” As a result, a new relationship developed with Jesus at their first encounter.
- Let us affirm the goodness, the God-given capacity to love and care, that God has planted in our hearts and challenge ourselves to go beyond our prejudices of appearances and stereotypes.