3: Are you a New Disciple?
Key Passage
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
John 1:45-51
Devotional
After Jesus' encounter with John's disciples, those disciples began to recruit others. Philip finds Nathanael. Nathanael had not been at John's revival. He did not have any context for Jesus outside of the "one day" promise of the Messiah from the Hebrew Bible. He experiences wonder, doubt, and eventually, an awakening of faith while meeting Jesus.
It's possible that when Nathanael first heard about Jesus he felt behind, like a student showing up for class having missed the first day. Being a new disciple can feel like this. There is lingo that other Christians use that you do not yet know or understand. Many of the habits of the Christian life, like prayer and fasting, feel difficult and foreign. Even attending a new church can be disorienting - congregations use different worship styles, music, and orders of service.
If you've ever felt like "too new" to be a disciple, look at Nathanael's life. Jesus invites him on the journey of discipleship and immediately begins taking him deeper, creating connection, friendship, and spiritual awakening. Jesus' modeling of Nathanael is how Jesus treats us as new disciples. See below.
Jesus allows for questions. Nathanael's question about Nazareth may have been a bit rude, but it doesn't phase Jesus. There is space to have questions as you begin your journey of discipleship.
Jesus gives encouragement. Jesus speaks to Nathanael, calling him a true "Israelite" without "deceit."
Jesus gives promises. Jesus' promise of an open heaven over Nathanael's life is a promise of the spiritual life that the new disciples will experience after these initial steps.
Spend some time in prayer today. Are you a new disciple? Bring your questions to Jesus and ask Him for a spiritual promise or encouragement. Are you an experienced disciple? Pray that Jesus would highlight others around you that He wants to draw into discipleship. Perhaps you could be like Philip, inviting your own "Nathanael" onto the journey.
Daily Prayer
"God I thank you for the grace that you give new disciples. As I develop a friendship with you I want the spiritual strength to bring you my questions. Also, I ask for specific promises and encouragement from You."