And You Hath He Quickened, Who Were Dead In Trespasses And Sins - Part 1638

John's account of Nathaniel is instructive. Therein, we learn that Jesus had gone into Galilee and upon finding Philip, said unto him, "Follow Me!" Such simple words of invitation, and yet the response -- even for us today -- determines our destiny, Jesus is the Light of the world, and when we believe on Him, and similarly obey His commandments, we inherit life everlasting.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ(by grace are ye saved;) and hath raised [us] up together and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus ... that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7)

But at the time when Jesus walked the earth, the totality and inclusiveness of the salvation message -- we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, but the gift from God -- was still off in the distance. Still, a shadow of the good things to come,

"The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing, which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which [stood only] in meats and drinks and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposing [on them] until the time of reformation. But Christ being come as high priest of good things to come ..." (Hebrews 9:8-18)

And then comes Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. But this is the revelation we have today, but for the disciples, this understanding was yet to be revealed. In that context, we have the benefit of the Lord's Christ being witnessed by one and all. Most certainly, we know that for this cause -- the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, was to purge our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14)

We understand from scripture, and by the witness of the Holy Ghost within us (confirming the Word) that God willingly became our Saviour, because of His love and kindness. But for the disciples, these only saw the man Jesus in their initial encounter. Even so, when Jesus beckoned for them to follow Him, they quickly gave up the things of this world to follow Him. One has to wonder what these saw in Jesus that so many people today -- oblivious to the greatest love story ever told to mankind - are willing to neglect. How our collective response to the good news gospel in this day and age must grieve the Lord who gave His all and all for us -- so that we might receive His gift of salvation, and be quickened from our trespasses and sins. But I digress.

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, goes to find Nathaniel, and tells him -- "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write -- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph!" Nathaniel's response? "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said unto him, "Come and see."

Note that Philip in his excitement of knowing that Jesus was the same Christ of whom Moses in the law and the prophets spoke of was now running to find Nathaniel, and he would not be put off by Nathaniel's negativity. "Come and see ..." invites Philip, "Come and see ..."

Jesus, who sees Nathaniel coming, says unto him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathaniel says unto Jesus, "Whence knowest Thou me?" And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee."

And therein, the revelation. Nathaniel answers, saying  unto Jesus, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel."

Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee; I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these." And then He saith unto him also, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (John 1:43-51)

Wow! It is no wonder the disciples left their day to day to follow Jesus.

We see Nathaniel again in John 21 when Jesus shows Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. By now, Jesus has been crucified, and risen from the tomb. He has since appeared to the disciples, including Thomas, who upon reaching his hand into Jesus' side, declared Jesus to be "my Lord and my God." (John 20:26-31)

Note that Simon Peter has decided to go a fishing, and the other disciples with him also. When the morning was now come, Jesus again shews Himself to the disciples, standing on the shore. But the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, "Children, have ye any meat?" They answered, "No." Jesus then tells them to cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find." (John 21:1-6) And when they did, and the nets were full of the multitude of fishes, the disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, "It is the Lord."

What faith it must have taken to give up the worldly in favour of the Lord Jesus! What level of trust to believe Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, when He invites them to "Come and dine." (John 21:10)

This was now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after that He was risen from the dead. As we read further in the 21st chapter of John, we see Jesus again asking Simon Peter to love Him, and that if he did, he was to feed Jesus' sheep. Indeed, Jesus told him ...

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee -- When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself and walked whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." (John 21:18)

Again, Jesus tells Simon Peter to "follow Me!"

We are to do the same, and when we do, we can be confident in our salvation. We can be confident that the work (or purpose placed in our hearts whilst still in our mother's womb) that He which hath begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ... (Philippians 1:1-19)

And when we believe on Jesus and obey His commandments, we like apostles Paul and Timotheus attest, can rejoice knowing that the preaching of Christ shall turn to salvation through prayer, "and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:19)

Yes, today is the day of salvation. Hear His voice and respond to the call to "follow Jesus." He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Stand in the offering plate.