The Christian apologist G. K. Chesterton wrote this:
Suppose we hear an unknown man spoken of by many men. Suppose we were puzzled to hear that some men said he was too tall and some too short; some objected to his fatness, some lamented his leanness; some thought he was too dark, and some too fair. One explanation . . . would be that he might be an odd shape. But there is another explanation. He might be the right shape . . . . Perhaps (in short) this extraordinary thing is really the ordinary thing; at least the normal thing, the centre.[1]
Many people are confused about Jesus. Many people speak of him in different ways. In today’s passage, we are invited to a fresh start. We are asked to come and see for ourselves who Jesus really is.
John 1:45-46
Philip found Nathanael 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.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
For some people, a fresh start with Jesus happens spontaneously. They hear the message and trust in Christ. When they stray, they quickly get back on the path. For others, a fresh start with Jesus is a step-by-step process. Still, others refuse to believe until Jesus “proves” himself in some way. Such was the case with Nathanael.
When Philip announced that he had found the Messiah—a man named Jesus from Nazareth—Nathanael was skeptical. Nazareth was an insignificant town located in the socially backward province of Galilee, and Nathanael wondered aloud, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Then Jesus “proved” himself. At their first meeting, he called Nathanael by name and said, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael acknowledged this supernatural sighting by declaring, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” I love Jesus’ response! He said, “That’s all it took to impress you? Just wait until you see the unbelievable things I will do” (my paraphrase).
So, for you reading this who has yet to decide to follow Jesus, here’s my question: What proof do you need? How about this: God loves you so much that he sent Jesus to die for you on the cross. Jesus voluntarily went to the cross and paid the penalty for your sin. He died and was buried. Then…ready for this…on the third day, he rose from the dead! He was seen alive by the disciples and more than 500 people at one time! Proof enough? It’s time for a fresh start.
Father, I pray today for the person who has not yet decided to follow you. I pray that you will graciously give them proof of who you are and what you sent Jesus to do. Remove the skepticism just as you did for Nathanael. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[1] From Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew (Grand Rapids, Ill: Zondervan, 1995), 11.
I got all the proof I needed 20 yrs ago. I walked around for 3 days before finally going to the hospital at which time I couldn’t talk anymore. I had multiple blood clots in my lungs. The nurses told me most people don’t make it to the hospital I know Jesus was with me why did he keep me alive?? I start my day with your devos everyday. Thank you Ron