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
Called to be followers!
We like to think of ourselves as leaders, but Christ calls us to follow him.
After seminary graduation, I was ready to lead people to know about the grace of God. And then I discovered my fellow followers.
A farmer named Nels in North Dakota taught me the reality of listening to God in my serving.
A retired school teacher in Wisconsin named Helen truly lived by the grace I was trying to preach.
Pastor Jim from Texas helped me out of my idealistic view of myself.
Ingrid, a missionary, taught me to pray the words of life.
A retired businessman named Lee is helping me run my organization by grace.
I am a convert to following. And greater things lie ahead. For Jesus is still going ahead of us. We want to be on that path.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are our leader. Thank you for calling us to be your followers. Amen.