Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” John 1:50 NABRE
Jesus calls Philip to follow Him, using His formula for calling all disciples. Philip responds to Jesus request by following. The call has an invitation but there must be something in the hearts of those Jesus call that provides the desires for a positive response. Jesus says follow me and the one He calls follows. It is still the way disciples are called today, there is the beginning of belief an then a call to commitment, a change in life course, as those called are drawn to follow Jesus more deeply. Sometimes the invitation isn’t directly from Jesus, after Philip is called he finds Nathaniel and says we have found the Messiah. Nathaniel is a devoted Jew and has awareness from the Hebrew scriptures of the coming Messiah and its meaning in Jewish life. Nathaniel goes with Philip and meets Jesus who impresses Nathaniel by describing his invitation and discussion with Philip, though Jesus wasn’t present. Nathaniel is so impressed he calls Jesus the Son of God, the King of Israel. Jesus in a way says you haven’t seen anything yet, as we read in the quoted verse.
Philip invites Nathaniel who is touched by Jesus and becomes a committed disciple. The pattern is repeated often and through the years. No one comes to Jesus without a yearning in their own heart for more. Jesus doesn’t call those unable to understand the meaning of the call, always the person who meets Jesus has desire already for more. If you are a Jesus follower it is likely you were invited and then called by Jesus. You may not think of your call in this manner, but surely Jesus sees good in you.
Were you invited and called? What has Jesus done to make you believe?
If you are a Jesus follower it is likely you were invited and then called by Jesus. You may not think of your call in this manner, but surely Jesus sees good in you. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #invite #call #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways