45Philip found Nathan'a-el, and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46Nathan'a-el said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47Jesus saw Nathan'a-el coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" 48Nathan'a-el said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49Nathan'a-el answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." 51And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."
This seems to be all about personal testimony. Philip's testimony is instrumental in leading Nathanael to faith. To me, the passage also highlights the call to follow Jesus and the blessings that come with this commitment. Do I evangelise or even see it as an important part of my life? Probably not. I try to wear my faith on my sleeve and hope that thise who are impressed by me may see Christ in me. But intuitively I know that this is not the way it works. In the Gospel, people are not moved by those they meet to the point that they then look for the source that gave that other person their appeal. If anything, I believe in encountering others. Walking with them, using my gifts to bring them success, leaving them feeling genuine love. I bel;ieve it is that sense that they are loved that transforms them. I definitely look for opportunities to leave people feeling loved.
ReplyDeleteStrengths:
DeleteYou've accurately captured the central theme of the passage: the importance of personal testimony in leading others to faith.
You've connected the passage to the broader concept of witnessing to Christ.
You've expressed a desire to live a life that reflects Christ's love and compassion.
Areas for Improvement:
While you've emphasized the importance of actions and relationships, the passage also highlights the role of direct proclamation of the Gospel.
The concept of "wearing your faith on your sleeve" could be explored further. How can we effectively communicate our faith without being overly judgmental or forceful?
You might consider the implications of Jesus' words to Nathanael: "You will see greater things than these." What does this suggest about the potential for spiritual growth and revelation?
Additional Thoughts:
The passage could be seen as a call to both witness and serve. How can we balance these two aspects of our faith?
The concept of "leaving people feeling loved" aligns with the heart of Jesus' message. How can we cultivate this quality in our own lives?
Overall, your response is insightful and demonstrates a good understanding of the passage.