John 1:45-46

EXPERIENCE THE TEST OF TRUTH

‘Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of Whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth,’ etc.

John 1:45

Philip, believing in Christ himself, immediately endeavours to make a believer of Nathanael.

I. The man who has lighted on heavenly treasure has found that, the direct tendency of which is to the overcoming selfishness; the man who has discovered a remedy for his spiritual maladies has discovered that which, on being applied, transforms the character and produces solicitude for the well-being of others. The wealth acquired by the believer in Christ is a wealth which, so to speak, is kept through being disbursed; the cure accomplished through the blood of the Redeemer is a cure which is radical only in proportion as it seeks its own extension.

II. Note well the reception which the gospel is likely to meet with, even from men of openness and sincerity. Nathanael says to Philip, ‘Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Nathanael is the representative of a large body of men who, having taken up a prejudice, whose justice they perhaps never examined, act on it as a principle, whilst they seem scarcely to suspect that they may be opposing or rejecting the truth. Let all who have been accustomed to take up some taunt against the Gospel, till they have virtually made the taunt itself gospel, or turned the proverb into a text—let them learn that, though they may be candid, for so was Nathanael, they may, like him, risk the loss of what is worth more than thought can measure, out of adherence to a surmise or a saying, which they have only to investigate to prove it erroneous.

III. Notice once more the treatment which a prejudiced man should receive from a believer.—It is very observable that Philip declined all controversy with Nathanael, though a fairer opening could hardly have been offered. His only anxiety was to bring Nathanael into personal communication with Jesus; this was the method which had succeeded with himself, and he felt as though it could not possibly fail with another.

—Rev. Canon Melvill.

(SECOND OUTLINE)

PREJUDICE OVERCOME

It is sometimes a hard task to bring preconceptions and prejudices to the touchstone of fact. But it is a religious duty.

I. In regard to Christian missions there is often the kind of conflict seen in the case of Philip and Nathanael. Philip speaks from personal conviction and experience: ‘We have found Him … Jesus of Nazareth.’ Nathanael replies with a natural prejudice: ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Natural, as expecting a Messiah to hail from Bethlehem, a religious teacher from Jerusalem; neither from so unpromising an origin as Nazareth of Galilee. Thus prejudice commonly has something behind it, and must be dealt with accordingly. Philip meets prejudice with the right answer: ‘Come and see.’ Fact is the best antidote to fancy.

II. Prejudice keeps many from seeing and doing their duty in regard to Christian missions.—‘Can any good thing,’ ‘Does any good thing’ come of all their work?

III. The best answer: ‘Come and see.’—Consider the facts fairly and dispassionately. Observe the independent testimony of sound observers. The profit to the Church at home must not be forgotten. The relation of missions to colonisation may be recalled. But our chief interest is in the spiritual results, which so amply vindicate the faith which says, ‘Come and see.’