Day 7: Good thing
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 (John 1:45-47).
Can any good thing ... The character of Nazareth was proverbially bad. To be a Galilean or a Nazarene was an expression of decided contempt (John 7:52). Nathanael asked, therefore, whether it was possible that the Messiah should come from a place proverbially wicked.
This was a mode of judging in the case not uncommon. It is not by examining evidence, but by prejudice. Many persons suffer their minds to be filled with prejudice against [Christ], and then pronounce at once without examination...
Come and see - This was the best way to answer Nathanael. He did not sit down to reason with him, or speculate about the possibility that a good thing could come from Nazareth; but he asked him to go and examine for himself, to see the Lord Jesus, to hear Him converse, to lay aside his prejudice, and to judge from a fair and candid personal inquiry.
So we should beseech sinners to lay aside their prejudices... and... make trial for themselves. If men can be persuaded to come to Jesus, all their petty and foolish objections... will vanish. They will be satisfied from their own experience that it is true, and in this way only will they ever be satisfied.
~ Albert Barnes ~ 1798-1870
Do you see Him? Do you see Him?
Tiny baby in the hay;
Shepherds saw Him and adored Him—
Christ the Savior came today!
Do you know Him? Do you know Him?
Jesus came to save from sin;
Is there darkness, pain, or sadness?
Let God’s Son now enter in.
Do you trust Him? Do you trust Him?
God of love is God of might:
Changing those that trust His power,
Jesus gives us joy and light!
~ Laura S. Erickson ~ 2007
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