God changes hearts

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

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.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” – John 1:43-51

Remember, as you share the gospel of Jesus Christ, you are only a message bearer. You cannot save anyone. Jesus went to the cross to redeem mankind. He left us with the Holy Spirit who calls and gathers us into the faith. God changes hearts. He changes lives.

Therefore, lead them to the cross, to the anointed of God. Once you have guided them, the Lord will do the rest.

The text gives an account of Jesus calling his first disciples. One of those was Philip who followed without question. Jesus has a way of changing lives. He affected the life of Philip, whose life was changed forever.

Philip’s inclination was to share his joy with others. Therefore, he went, found Nathaniel, and invited him to meet Jesus. Excitedly he exclaimed, “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.”

This should have been good news to all who would have heard it, but to Nathanael, it meant nothing. Instead, he remarked sarcastically, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”

His remark was made from ignorance. In making his snide remark, Nathanael might have been saying that the Messiah was not expected to come from such a place. According to Moses and the prophets, prophesy pointed to Judah, the town of Bethlehem from which the Messiah would come.

Nathanael was right that the Messiah was not to come from a place like Nazareth. But he has spoken in ignorance. Jesus was, in fact, from Bethlehem. Nazareth was his adopted home.

Philip did not argue with Nathanael, instead, he said, “Come and see.” Whether he was deficient in his knowledge of Jesus or not, he thought it best that Nathanael should meet and learn from Jesus.

Often, in our Christian walk, as new converts, we might know enough to satisfy our self, but not enough to explain and quiet an adversary. Philip took Nathanael to the only one who could answer.

He was not prepared to argue with Nathanael about his snide remark. He instead took him to meet the Christ and learn from him.

Like Philip, when you encounter people who are adversarial about God, remember you cannot change them. You can only take them to the gospel and allow the Lord to do the changing of heart. Only he can change hearts.

As he changed the heart of Nathanael, he can change the hearts of others. He calls us to share his word with the people with whom we come into contact.

Nathanael did not know Jesus. However, he was in for the surprise of his life. Jesus was about to give him a new life.

As you share God’s word, follow Philip’s example. Do not get into an argument about it. Do not be afraid to take them to the Messiah. He has all the answers. He can revolutionize their lives. He can open their eyes to see. He is God’s anointed. Amen.

• Rev. Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Nassau, 119 John F. Kennedy Drive, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas; or telephone: 426-9084; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com; website: www.nassaulutheranchurch.org.

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