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Scripture Text (NRSV)

John 1:43-51

 

1:43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."

1:44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth."

1:46 Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

1:47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!"

1:48 Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you."

1:49 Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

1:50 Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these."

1:51 And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

 

Comments:

 

I find it interesting that from Christ's perspective, it is He that found Philip (1:43). From Philip's perspective, it was he who found Christ (1:45).

MRA


Maybe last weeks text should come before this one! This is exactly what Jesus said they would see - the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) descending on Him!

It is marvelous to me that Jesus knows us so well before we ever come to know Him. He knows our sins, faults, shortcoming, weaknesses and all the rest - but still He loves us enough to sacrifice Himself for us!


What is it that Jesus likes about Nathanael? That he is a bigot but not afraid to give voice to his prejudices? This makes a good text for Martin Luther King Sunday.

Can God find us attractive by virtue of a virtue that most people would find repugnant, say honesty? Does it not say that God found David a person of good heart, even though at the time he was little more than a mercenary soldier of fortune?

Maybe God finds some good in every person. But if that is the case, why did he rebuke the Pharisees when they voiced their thoughts? What is the difference? Just some early thoughts. I believe there is a powerful message about openness and prejudice here. Help me find it.

Boyd in NC


It is amazing/refreshing/encouraging to me how easily Nathanael believes in Jesus. We're not told whether Jesus seeing him under the fig tree was the result of a divine vision, or simply of Jesus passing by earlier. Either way, Nathanael is impressed enough to believe.

What makes us believe? Is it miracle? Is it Presence? Or is it with us, as it may have been with Nathanael, enough to simply be known by God? There is power in a relationship that is willing to know the other as deeply as Jesus seems to know Nathanael, especially in an age when there are so many reasons and means for us avoid it.

Brad in Bama


A note from one of my sources says that it was common for women to leave their children under a fig tree when the went to work in the fields, so "I saw you under a fig tree" was a euphemism for, "I have known you since you were a baby." It might be a reflection on the call of Jeremiah (Jer. 1:4-7).

The reference that Jesus makes to Nathaniel as "an Israelite in whom there is no guile," I believe is meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Certainly there is plenty of guile in Nathaniel! We always seem to think of Jesus as so serious, but he says of himself that his ministry is more like a party! Jesus could give and take very well - remember the story of the Woman at the Well in John's Gospel? Jesus is giving Nathaniel "the business," catching him in what he thought was a private remark to Philip! The depth of knowledge Jesus has about him obviously leaves a strong impression!

Lots of good places to start on this one!

Gary in New Bern


Adam Clarke's commentary points out that it is THE fig tree: one particularly distinguished from others. Apparently Jewish rabbis preferred the shade of fig trees to do their studying. I think Jesus was "piercing the joints and marrow" of Nathanael's soul. In this one pointed remark, Jesus was giving Nathanael his epiphany. Clare in Iowa


Is anyone else struggling with the 1 Corinthians reading? Why did the lectionary people choose this one? It makes the service feel schizophrenic! I think I will change the epistle reading to 2 Corinthians 5:11-21: Knowing Jesus from the divine point of view, and receiving the ministry of reconciliation. Clare in Iowa


Clare in Iowa, That is exactly the problem I am having with this weeks lectionary selections. It remains a struggle to draw 1 Corinthians reading in line with 1 Samuel and John readings this week.

I noticed there were no comments under the 1 Corinthians section as of 7:00 AM 10JAN00.

The search goes on. LAR


To Clare and Lar - Perhaps the connection between the lessons could be this: OT Lesson - waiting to hear and see ("The Word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread"). Gospel Lesson - Nathaniel discovers the issue is not merely to see, but to be seen. Jesus looks at Nathaniel with eyes of love that win him over. Nature of that love describe in... Epistle (2nd Lesson)- That love claims us - our whole being. Being claimed by God who is love, allows us to be gifts of love to others. Realizing this is the beginning of our joy and healing. The one who calls us knows us. The one who calls us sees us - sees into us and calls us to new life.

Peace in Christ - Yarnspinner in VA


Connection between 1 Sam. & 1 Cor. Samuel belongs to God, Paul says we are not our own...we belong to God.

I like the phrase here - Where did you get to know me? Perhaps the most important thing is not necessarily knowing Jesus, but Jesus knowing who we are. Isn't it important for us to be known? That our lives mean something to someone else?

John near Pitts.


In connection with Samuel, I'm focusing on the call. The call to do ministry not just those who we ordained to offices two weeks ago, not just the pastor but that we all are ministers. Do we hear God calling? What would convince us? Does God have to call our name? Does God have to see us in the pew?

You Called? or You Called!

Bruce in WI


In this Epiphany Season, it is not only Jesus who is manifested, made known; it is also the revelation of those who come into contact with Jesus:

The wise men, open their treasure chests ... The Forerunner, reveals himself, the one coming after me is before me ... Nathaniel, you are the Son of God ...

It is not simply Jesus revealing, but our own unwrapping in his presence which makes this such a wonderful season.

tom in ga


I have been struck in recent weeks by the cost of discipleship. Mary, who said yes, though her own heart was pierced; Joseph raising a son not his own, giving up his planned life and hustling off to Egypt and back again; John losing his head over it all, MLK jr his life. Christianity may feel really good. Becoming a better person, in relationahip with the creator, forgiven. These things are great. Even tithing -- not so bad. But you go far enough down the road and there's no turning back. What awaits may be greater sacrifice than we anticipated. The fruits of these lives are known and cherished. But how many would choose to carry discipleship so very far? Put's that hymn -- Here I Am Lord -- in slightly different light....

HW in HI


"To Know as We Are Known" (Palmer) involves the prevenient grace of God's seeing each of us under our "Fig Tree" as he saw not only Nathanael but Jonah. Our self-image/understanding/identity is connected with significant others' perception of us...the way we have been known by others for whom we deeply care!. In whose eyes do we look to see the mirrored reflection of our self? Being/becoming a disciple of Jesus, hearing a call of God to the ministries of the sacred covenant, does involve a costly grace that begins "preveniently", long before justifying grace and santifying grace. Nat's call to discipleship begins under a Fig Tree, or in the womb, at a time prior to knowing that he was being known. The Cost of Discipleship, in light of Bonhoeffer and MLKing,Jr, is certainly relevant to the epiphany scriptural context this week Jeremiah 1, the 139 Psalm and 1 Samuel 3 unveil the realization that God's hand is upon us, shaping us for the ministry of "opening up" the vision of God's dwelling place, heaven, to those who believe and live in the despair of thinking that the love of God is beyond their "world", their situation, their self. This discipleship vision leads to the closure of Romans 8. The spiritual task of reflecting upon the "pygmalion effect", or the "looking glass mirror", involving the origin of our self-image/identity is eternally connected with the realization that neither life nor death, etc., nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 13, especially "for now we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face" is relevant to God's seeing us beneath our Fig Tree, whether we are overlooking Nineveh in a fit of anger ("enough to die") or we are studying the Torah, Law, or Bible in Sunday School. We are not always called to be disciples because of the exempliary moral character we display on the mountain of hope but because, like Moses, Jonah, Saul/Paul, we have known what it means for anger, hate, and prejudice to get out of hand. Yet God saw us under our Fig Tree....and He saw us with an unconditional transforming love declaring we are of infinite, eternal, worth and dignity. PaideiaSCO in north ga mts.


Here's another thought on Nathaniel's comment regarding Nazareth. The name Nazareth comes from Netzer, "a shoot." This is the Messianic shoot from the stump of Isaiah. Nazareth was a very small town, less than 150 people. Perhaps they saw themselves as the shoot from Isaiah, an exclusive group from which the Messiah would appear. Hence the scorn from Nathanial. Kind of like us talking about those weird fanatics at Waco or wherever.

Larry cny


For those who have been wondering why the 2nd lesson this week is what it is, the answer is simple and has to do with the structure of the lectionary. Each year during the Epiphany season we read sequentially from I Corinthians. This being the "B" year, we are reading from the middle of I Corinthians. That means that whoever picked the lections did not necessarily intend that there be some connection between the 2nd lesson and the other lessons. On the other hand, that should not stop us from trying to discover and make such connections as the Spirit shows us. Mike in Maryland


About the reference to the fig tree: Gerard Sloyan's commentary suggests that this may be a reference to Zechariah 3: 10 or Micah 4:4. In those passages, the Israelites are told that when the Branch of David appears, they will invite one another to sit under their figs trees (a metaphor for peace, I presume). Thus, this statement to Nat. is intended to reveal the identity of Christ as the long awaited Messiah. It is that theme that intrigues me. Why were Andrew, Peter, Phillip, Nathaneal, and others so willing to follow Christ on moments notice? Perhaps it has to do with expectation. They, along with all Israel, had waited for the Messiah to come for generation upon generation. So, when he appeared, some (not all) were ready to respond. They expected God to do something in their midst. 1 Samuel 3 creates an interesting contrast. Old Eli didn't seem to expect much at all. He had grown lazy and complacent and was just marking his days. So it took God three tries to break thru to Samuel, Eli's protege. Maybe our ability to respond to God's call is largely dependent on whether we really expect him to be active in our lives. Just a though. Chris in NC


I wouldn't be too critical of Eli. He had tried to talk with his two sons, but they wouldn't listen. It was his wisdom that enabled him to know Yahweh was speaking to Samuel. He still had a use. It is true that some of us have lost our ability to act within our congregation, but wisdom stands for something. In order to understand the importance of all of us, I feel we need to see what usefulness Biblical characters, episodes and stories have as paradigms for our own lives.

Shalom Pasthersyl


I think a connecting point between the Corinthians passage and this one is the question, "what does discipleship mean/require of us?" Nathaniel was called to put aside his skepticism and make a faith statement; the Corinthian church was reminded that their lifestyle betrayed their witness. What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ in this day and age? His initial call is always the same, "Come and see!" But then we must leave wherever we are, and go where he is going (something we can't do if we remain where we are - either "under the fig tree" or in a lifestyle that is harmful). So the call requires two things of us: (1)come - follow him where he goes, where he is leading and (2)seeing - seeing the world as he sees it, seeing him as he really is (and not through our preconceptions), until at last (Transfiguration) we see "him alone."

Plenty of challenges in tis text!

Gary in New Bern


Some more thoughts to follow up that marvelous initial comment from MRA at the top of this week's column: Who found whom??... In the Gospel lesson, Philip thinks that he'd found Jesus; but Jesus sees it in the opposite way, and says that it was He who'd actually found Philip.

This relates directly to the comment later in John's Gospel: "It is not you who chose me. No, I chose you." (15:16)

Not just the Gospel, but all 4 lections (including psalmody) are about being chosen this week. There's no doubt about it in that first lesson: Again and again God calls until finally young Samuel listens; but isn't it interesting that the ppointed lesson stops before the boy actually answers back to God. Young Sam does not choose God here, God chooses him and that's the end of it.

I Corinthians is a tough one, as Clare has noted. And yes, it's true that this is a continuous seasonal reading that was never intended to match with the other lessons (thanks Mike!); but still... I Corinthians 6 contains the ethical charge to live out the consequences of having been called by God. I am not my own. My body and my so-called property and my committed relationships are not my own but actually the property of Another, and I am just the caretaker, the steward. Not what I would have chosen... I'd be the boss if I could be. I'd choose to be the chooser, like Philip tried to do. I'd limit my social responsibilities and stay free and easy and independent if I had my druthers. But no, God calls me into community and responsibility for my neighbor, like it or not. (Cf. Dr. King's call to justice and his martyrdom.) I did not choose... God chose me.

The psalmody speaks for itself: I am fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together by God in my mother's womb, way, way before I could do a thing about it. I am who I am because of a wisdom that I cannot penetrate. I did not choose my own identity, my own family, my own mission & purpose in life... It was all chosen for me.

Where's the good news here? Is it good news that I'm powerless?? No, and that's not the way to go with these lessons in preaching. We all have more than enough of a sense of human powerlessness already. No reminder from the pulpit should be necessary; it would just beat people down even futher than they already are (Cf. Fisherfolk's comments on self-esteem).

Instead, the good news in Christ is that despite all appearances, I am called to a purpose that is bigger than I am. Larger than life. I am not meant to be alone, nor is my life going to be meaningless, because God in Christ has a plan for me even though I may not (and probably will not) understand it. The plan may be too wonderful for me to grasp, but this I can know: It does mean that I'm called into extending myself in all sorts of ways on behalf of others, to whom God is calling me in ministry. I am not my own; I am made for the cross and for resurrection. (Again, Dr. King.) "It is not you who chose me. No, I chose you." (John 15:16)

Al, Lexington KY


It is my understanding that sitting under a fig tree was a Jewish metaphor meaning to live in right relationship with God and others. See, for example:

Zecheriah 3: 7-10

6 Then the angel of the LORD assured Joshua, saying 7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. 8 Now listen, Joshua, high priest, you and your colleagues who sit before you! For they are an omen of things to come: I am going to bring my servant the Branch. 9 For on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven facets, I will engrave its inscription, says the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day. 10 On that day, says the LORD of hosts, you shall invite each other to come under your vine and fig tree.”

Micah 4: 3 – 4

3He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; 4 but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.

 

Nathaniel has admirable qualities from which we can all learn. I wish the world had more people “in whom there is no deceit!" They may say things that offend us, but at least you don't have to guess what's on their minds.

DR


Great insights this week (all of you). It really helps me to come here and hear what you have to say. For me, personally, the phrase "Come and see" strikes me. Jesus said the same thing to two of John's disciples. They wanted to know where He was staying (nowhere, of course. "The Son of Man has no place to lay his head.") Following Christ means that we follow Him wherever He may lead us. And following Him is different for all of us. The end result is the same (heaven), but He leads us all in different paths according to the gifts and graces that have been so graciously given to us.

Every person in the world has a road that they travel. All roads lead to God, but not all roads lead to heaven. The choice to follow Christ means a willingness to travel the road He has chosen for us. The ride of our life is found when we "Come and see." MD in IL


I am new here. So forgive me for pushing the wrong button and puting my question in Sermons. So here it is again: Has anyone noticed that at begining of year we have two readings that are talking about God's call? Are we all called to begin year with answer of faith? Senka in SM.


Think about how difficult it is to convince someone that you are telling the truth. Isn't it the same with trying to convince someone about Christ being the Messiah. Philip had a difficult time convining a friend -- how difficult it is for us to convince strangers as well as family and friends.


A few references to the theme of calling has me thinking about the fact that for some of us the calling is directly from God (as with Samuel) while for some it is through another human voice (As in Philip calling Nathael!) The validation of the calling plays a crucial role here. How do we (or did we) discern the origin of our calling?

Another point that I found is that curious is that one aspect of my calling came from someone that I really disliked! (Don't you just hate it when it happens that way?)

I suspect that God uses any and all methods to call us into service (not just to ordained ministry) laying claim upon us for the loving and caring of others.

My sermon this wek is entitled "Call Waiting."

A W-G rocky coast Me.


Jan 13, 2000 Greeting fellow Pilgrims: Perhaps the reason that no one as yet has commented on the jCor. text is that we are so sold out to our culture we can't really see the relevence of the scripture to our age. Samuel is in the temple "set aside" for the Lord's work and hears God's voice and responds positively. Nathanael meets Jesus and leaves everything to follow him. The Christians in Corinth and many; in our USA today have the Nike attitude -"Just Do It." Self-indulgence in the things of the flesh is nothing new, but God repeatedly has called His own to be separate fom the culture, to be "peculiar." Why do we laugh at hose Christian women who wear their dresses long and simple, or put their hair up in a bun with a little white cover over it, or dress so modestly that everyone knows they are different? Aren't we supposed to be different? While the rest of the world practices gluttony and say that "fat is beautiful," why aren't we Christians regularily fasting and denying ourselves? Why don't we crucify our flesh daily as Paul prescribes? I believe that we have swallowed the lies forever - from the "enlightenment," to the "renaissance," to the "sexual revolution." What will it take to wake us up to the call of holiness? When will we preachers have the gumption to preach holiness and an abandonment of our cultural love affair with sin? Dale in Kansas


I suspect the reason many of us haven't commented on 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20 is that we will be speaking to mixed groups which include children of all ages. I for one am not that excited by the thought of delving into fornication and prostitutes with such a crowd (although the teenagers would probably be extrememly interested in an indepth study of the sexual practices - and mispractices - of ancient Rome). So I'll be sticking mainly to the Gospel passage.

DR


I mostly "listen" at this sight. You all inspire me with wonderful ideas. This week I feel lead to share. We don't often think about what Jesus knows about us, honestly. With Samuel God know he was the one who would carry the message to Eli, even though Samuel had a difficult time recognizing God's call. Isn't that just like God to pick the apprentice, the lesser one, to do the job. How often does God call us and we respond with an attitude of "It's not my job" or "as long as I don't open my big mouth I'll get out of this one" What did God know about the church at Corinth? They definitely don't have a good reputation. And still God called them in the midst of their lack of discipline and bad habits. Didn't God know what they were like? Did he miss sexual sins or the prostitute that hung around? Or did he call them first and them work on changing their faults as they learned more of his love. Ever have a known prostitute come to your worship? Were then loved in such a way that their lives might change or were they outcast because their lives were not yet right. What could God have been doing calling such people to his church? He just couldn't know much about them! And look at Nathanael. Another Jew who didn't want to believe. Just what Jesus needed! He had one of the original disciples tell him about Jesus and still he didn't believe. What was God up to? Jesus had enough problems keeping the folks who willingly followed him in line without someone like Nathanael. Just think he had to keep an eye on Peter. Just keeping him alive could be a full time job. He'd be living on a mountain top or drowned in the sea if not for Jesus. Jesus needed a good solid believer not another stubborn doubter. God couldn't know much about Nathanael or he wouldn't have chosen him. Right? The Psalm reading pulls it all together. God knows all about us and still loves us enough to die for us. God knows!! Not just thinks he knows or is a luck guesser. God knows! I think I'll use the title "What Does Jesus Know About Us?" Thanks for the inspiration. BY in PA


I see the connection of the three lesson, that once a person has an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ that Jesus knows him/her on a very personal level. And that once a person comes to Jesus, that relationship can only grow if it becomes personal and that person puts away the sinful nature and put on a spiritual nature. Thus pure love will flow between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus calls us into a relationship with him. Much like Samuel and Philip. Once we come to see him as Nathanael did, what type of fig tree are we sitting under that Christ will tell us about and perhaps convict us that He indeed know us personally and that we turn to Him and say. "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Will it be the fig tree of the sin we committed against our bodies? No matter what the fig tree is, it convicts us of who Jesus Christ is in our lives.

This is just some thoughts as I look at the texts for this Sunday.

Thanks for all your comments.

God Bless Shalom,

Pastor Rich in Kent, Wa


Thanks, all of you for your sharing. It has helped me a lot. As I reconsider the passage on fornication, I think of how often the prophets' message to the Israelites was a condemnation for their "whoring after other gods." Their idolatry was seen as fornication to God. Surely, we are guilty of idolatry: putting pleasure and material possessions ahead of God. So the message must apply to us. Clare in Iowa


As the Epiphany Season opens before us we begin with the "attentive listening" of Samuel and Nathanael. In their hearing they discovered that it was God ("the Son of God, the King of Israel") who was speaking to them. This "attentiveness" sets the theme for the coming ministry of healing that unfolds in the weeks that follow -- (To Nathanael, you will see greater things than these.)

Further, there is an interesting difference between Philip who responds to Jesus call to follow, yet gives a kind of heady definition of who Jesus is; and when he evangelizes Nath - Nath responds with a heady and intellectual distancing: Can anything good come forth ...? It is only in a direct encounter that Nath's heart is moved and warmed .. not in the second hand information of Philip. Nathanael is drawn and not called to Jesus.

tom in ga


I notice most of you are thinking of Martin Luther King Sunday, but did you also notice that it's sanctity of human life Sunday?

Can anything good come out of a life that is unplanned and unwanted. Can anything good come out of such a life? Come and see. Ask JM. JM makes a comment under this week's Psalm. JM was aborted but survived. Can anything good come of this? Frankly, I think so.

Jesus was an unplanned pregnancy. Can anything good come of such a thing?

Can anything good come from a slave? William Wilberforce thought so and brought an end to slavery in England. Can anything good come from an orphan? George Mueller thought so and built orphanages. How about an alcoholic, an embittered life, a life of shame? Can anything good come out of such a life?

Come and see.

I am also struck by the progressive revelation of Jesus to Nathaniel. At first, he was the one prophesied of by Moses and the prophets. Then He was the Son of God. But Jesus said, "That isn't all. Wait till you see my return!"


I notice most of you are thinking of Martin Luther King Sunday, but did you also notice that it's sanctity of human life Sunday?

Can anything good come out of a life that is unplanned and unwanted. Can anything good come out of such a life? Come and see. Ask JM. JM makes a comment under this week's Psalm. JM was aborted but survived. Can anything good come of this? Frankly, I think so.

Jesus was an unplanned pregnancy. Can anything good come of such a thing?

Can anything good come from a slave? William Wilberforce thought so and brought an end to slavery in England. Can anything good come from an orphan? George Mueller thought so and built orphanages. How about an alcoholic, an embittered life, a life of shame? Can anything good come out of such a life?

JG from WI Come and see.

I am also struck by the progressive revelation of Jesus to Nathaniel. At first, he was the one prophesied of by Moses and the prophets. Then He was the Son of God. But Jesus said, "That isn't all. Wait till you see my return!"