John 1:43-51
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 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. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
In our text for today, we see an interesting pattern of how faith in Jesus is shared and transferred from one person to the next. It always happens person-to-person.
In the verses preceding our text, we read about Andrew, who after spending time with Jesus, believes him to be a prophet – the Messiah. He immediately goes to his brother Peter and says “We have found the Messiah.” Andrew then brings Peter to Jesus, and Peter becomes one of Jesus’ followers.
In today’s text, Philip, when called by Jesus, follows him. He then goes to his friend Nathanael and says, “We have found the one that Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” When Nathanael expresses doubt – “Can any good thing come from Nazareth?”, Philip responds with an invitation, “Come and see for yourself.”
This, in fact, is the most powerful manner in which the Christian faith has been passed down for 2,000 years. Person-to-person. One person says to their friend, “I have met Jesus, and this is what he has done for me. I would love to introduce him to you.” Sometimes, like Nathanael, our friends express doubt. When that happens, we say, “Just come…and see for yourself.”
Many examples abound in the New Testament:
- An Ethiopian returning to his home country from Jerusalem is puzzled by a scripture passage in Isaiah. Philip explains to him the meaning of the passage and introduces him to Jesus. He believes and is baptized. (Acts 8)
- Peter, when led by the Holy Spirit, visits the Roman centurion Cornelius and tells him about Jesus. Cornelius and all his family believe and are baptized. (Acts 10)
- If you are a believer today, it is because someone took the time to tell you about Jesus, to introduce Jesus to you. Of course, we may learn about Jesus from books, through the Bible, through music and movies. Yet, invariably, it always involves an invitation…a person-to-person connection somewhere along the way.
Nathanael’s example in today’s text:
- Nathanael moves from doubt and unbelief…to a life of faith and following Jesus.
- What causes this change? Meeting Jesus! – and realizing that Jesus already knew him!
- How does it happen? Philip invites him. “Come and see!”
Our task as followers of Jesus is not:
- To persuade or convince people to become Christian
- To “prove” the truth of Christianity
As a missionary in Japan, I was blessed with many Japanese friends, both in and outside the church. Often conversations with those who were not Christians would turn to religion. Sometimes a comparison between religions, sometimes questions about Christian theology. And I enjoyed these conversations and discussions. But sometimes I felt as though I needed to explain….or prove….the Christian faith to my friends. That if they didn’t believe in Jesus….that somehow I was a poor missionary.
But the truth is that while those conversations can be great and helpful, scripture does not command us to prove, explain, or convince others of the truth of Christ. That is the work of God…the Holy Spirit.
Our task is:
- To invite our friends to “Come and see!”
- To tell of all that Jesus has done for us. (“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard…” I John 1:3)
Our true joy in being followers of Jesus….is in the relationship we are offered with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is near….in all of our trials and joys.
It’s also our joy to invite others to meet Jesus. Not out of a sense of guilt, or heavy responsibility (!) but simply telling others of all that God has done for us.
This week I pray that each of us will have natural opportunities to do this. Amen.
(the above is a summary of the message shared during worship on August 30, 2026.)
Japanese Congregational Church 