Some Listen Skeptically- Nathanael

43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip 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.”

46“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

48“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

50Jesus said, “You believe^h because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51He then added, “Very truly I tell you,ⁱyou^j will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’^k the Son of Man.” (John 1)

Thoughts: Perhaps you have read this passage a hundred times.  But each time you approach some new angle allows you to understand deeper and a bit better.  This time I encourage you to read this passage think of how people listen and respond to Christ.
      Philip responded well and he invited Nathanael well.  His invitation was to "come and see."  That should be our invitation as well. 

    But Nathanael was very skeptical.  He scoffed at Philip- "How can anything good come out of Nazareth?"  So many today are like Nathanael.  They have a little religious exposure.  They are not really opposed to the idea of a Savior, but they are skeptical.  He had hardened his heart against hearing anything from the back country town of Nazareth.  Perhaps he knew someone who did bad things and came from Nazareth.  Perhaps he had a bad experience in Nazareth himself.  We purposefully do not know- for it does not matter.  It does not matter why people are skeptical of Jesus and of His great message.  Their skepticism is unwarranted.
           Nathanael changed his mind as he encountered Jesus himself.  Jesus said he saw him ahead of time. But Jesus said that is not much of a miracle to breakthrough all the hardness of skepticism and doubt of Nathanael.  Jesus is God.  He shows that in many ways.  Perhaps if we will "come and see" He will show us we ought to believe.  

Prayer: Lord, take away my hardness of heart, and let me experience your heart.