"It is [the Scriptures] that bear witness of me. "
John 5:39
THE BIBLE MAN
Read It: John 1:45-46
When it comes to Nathanael, we're dealing with a different breed of cat. Nathanael was the Bible man. Nathanael knew his Old Testament. So when Philip went to tell Nathanael about Jesus, Philip approached his buddy on the basis of what he knew from the Scriptures. Notice how Philip stated his case in verse 45. He told Nathanael that everything he had read about and believed in the Scriptures concerning the coming Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus. What Philip was saying was, "Nate, you know the One you've been reading about and waiting for? Peter and Andrew and John and I have found Him. "Remember when you read in Genesis 3:15 about the One who would crush the serpent's head? We found Him. It's Jesus of Nazareth. Remember the balm of Gilead and the Rose of Sharon? We found Him. "Remember reading in Isaiah about the root of Jesse and the suffering ing servant? We found Him. Remember how much you love to read about the King who will sit on the throne of David? We found Him. His name is Jesus, and He's from Nazareth." You ask, "Did Philip really say all of that?" Maybe not word for word, but that's the idea. He was inviting Nathanael to lay his Old Testament scroll aside for a minute and come and see the One he was reading about. How do I know Nathanael was reading his Bible?
Because rabbinic literature erature refers to the fig tree (look ahead to verse 50) as the place for meditation, itation, sort of like going to the park today and sitting under a tree to read a book. The Jews would go and sit under a fig tree to read and meditate on the Scriptures. Now Nathanael must have been from Missouri, because he said in verse 46, "Show me." His reference to Nazareth is less than flattering, but that was the reputation the town had in those days. Then true to form, good old Philip just said the secret words of John 1: "Come and see." And the reason you know Nathanael was also good disciple material was that despite his deep skepticism, he was willing to be taught. He was willing to be corrected. How about you? Think About It You don't have to argue with people about the Gospel. Just bring them to Jesus, and He will take care of the rest.
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