Does “One” Really Matter?

 John 1:45-46
Jesus called Philip personally and Philip trusted Him and followed Him.  We do not know what kind of heart preparation Philip experienced, because God usually prepares a person before He calls him/her.  We do know that Philip proved his faith by seeking to share it with his friend Nathanael.    John 21:2 suggests that at least seven of our Lord’s disciples were fishermen, including Nathanael. 
 
Fishermen are courageous and stick to the job, no matter how difficult it may be. But Nathanael started out a doubter: he did not believe that anything worthwhile could come out of Nazareth.  Our Lord was born in Bethlehem, but He grew up in Nazareth and bore that stigma. To be called a “Nazarene” meant to be looked down on and rejected.
 
When Nathanael hesitated and argued, Philip adopted our Lord’s own words: “Come and see” (John 1:39).   Later on, Jesus would invite “Come… and drink” (John 7:37) and, “Come and dine” (John 21:12).  “Come” is the great invitation of God’s grace.  When Jesus revealed His knowledge of Nathanael, where he had been and what he had been doing, this was enough to convince the man that Jesus indeed was “the Son of God, the King of Israel.”
 
After World War II, a group of German students volunteered to rebuild a severely damaged cathedral.  A large statue of Jesus, with outstretched arms and the words “Come unto Me” inscribed on it, was missing both hands.  Since it proved impossible to reattach the hands, they decided to leave them off. And they changed the inscription to read, “Christ has no hands but ours.
 
The person being touched by Christ’s follower is being touched by Jesus Himself. Through you, the hands of Jesus are ministering daily to others.  Has Jesus called you to be His disciple? Do you trust Him? Are you following Him? Does “One” matter?  “Go and tellOne and see what God will do. 
 
Your brother and friend,
Pastor Bruce

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