Today’s passage: John 1:43-51
Helpful thoughts:
- Two more disciples begin to follow Jesus. Philip and Nathanael (a.k.a. Bartholomew – Matthew 10:3).
- The Law and the Prophets would have been a way to refer to what we call the Old Testament.
- Philip believed Jesus was the fulfillment of all the promises made in the Old Testament concerning the coming Savior, Messiah, Son of God, and King!
- After Nathanael met Jesus, he believed too.
- Nazareth was just a small town at that time. Not notable for much of anything, a forgettable town.
- Continuing the theme of looking back to the Old Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as a better ladder (Better than Jacob’s ladder – Genesis 28:12, Hebrews 10:19-20).
- Jesus is the way to God (John 14:6).
Questions to consider:
- What impressed Nathanael about Jesus? What attribute of God did Jesus display which so quickly convinced him? (Psalm 139:1-3)
- There are two images of Jesus portrayed in this passage, the one that amazed Nathanael, and the one that didn’t amaze Nathanael (end of verse 45). When the unbelieving world sees Jesus, what do they see? What do those who’ve had their eyes and hearts opened to the truth see? Who is Jesus? (Colossians 1:15-20)
- When Jacob saw the ladder in Genesis 28, he named that place, “Bethel” (The house, or the dwelling place, of God). In what ways has Jesus brought, “Bethel” to His people? (Leading up to Revelation 21:3!)