John 1:43-51 (NRSV)
Read John 1:43-51 on biblegateway.com
Verse 43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Verse 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Verse 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Verse 46Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Verse 47When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Verse 48Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Verse 49Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Verse 50Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." Verse 51And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
Devotion
“Follow me” are just two words -- simple yet powerful words. The day after Jesus called Andrew and Peter, he decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Philip did not wait. Immediately he followed Jesus of Nazareth, the one who called him.
Why this immediate response of obedience? The answer is that Jesus the Christ -- the Lord and Master, the Son of God, Savior of the world, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the hope for the world -- found Philip and called him to follow.
This same Jesus who called Philip, Andrew, Peter, Matthew and many others is still in the process of calling his disciples. And this includes you! The church is alive today because of the immediate response of all faithful followers who hear Jesus’ call.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help us to hear your call and follow you. Amen