Mission of Christ
45
Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him,
Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him,
Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him,
Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto
him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him,
Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw
thee.”
Nathanael’s wavering faith was now strengthened, and he answered
and said, “Rabbi, thou art the son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw
thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things
than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Hereafter ye shall see Heaven open, and the angels of God ascending
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and descending upon the Son of Man.”
In these first few disciples the foundation of the Christian church
was being laid by individual effort. John first directed two of his
disciples to Christ. Then one of these finds a brother, and brings him
to Christ. He then calls Philip to follow him, and he went in search
of Nathanael. Here is an instructive lesson for all the followers of
Christ. It teaches them the importance of personal effort, making
direct appeals to relatives, friends, and acquaintances. There are those
who profess to be acquainted with Christ for a life time who never
make personal effort to induce one soul to come to the Saviour. They
have left all the work with the minister. He may be well qualified for his
work; but he cannot do the work which God has left upon the members
of the church. Very many excuse themselves from being interested in
the salvation of those who are out of Christ, and are content to selfishly
enjoy the benefits of the grace of God themselves, while they make
no direct effort to bring others to Christ. In the vineyard of the Lord
there is a work for all to do, and unselfish, interested, faithful workers
will share largely of his grace here, and of the reward he will bestow
hereafter. Faith is called into exercise by good works, and courage and
hope are in accordance with working faith. The reason many professed
followers of Christ have not a bright and living experience, is because
they do nothing to gain it. If they would engage in the work which
God would have them do, their faith would increase, and they would
advance in the divine life.
Jesus was pleased with the earnest faith of Nathanael that asked
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