- Apr 9, 2011
- 4,833
- 2,500
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- United States
If anyone wants a break from all the Bill Nye craziness, here's something a little lighthearted, and perhaps not that important. Just an interesting observation to ponder.
In the Gospel of John 1:45-51 Jesus met Nathaneal. It seems to me to be an interesting and even whimsical meeting. Philip had just been introduced to Jesus and runs off to find his buddy, Nathanael. Obviously excited, he tells Nathanael, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazaeth, the son of Joseph."
Nathanael's response? "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"
Now, looking at a few Bible commentators (Barnes, Gill, Clarke), I get the impression that Nazareth wasn't such a nice place. It had a bad reputation! Deservingly so? I don't know. But if it is true, this explains Nathanael's response. He was saying, "Get real! That gutter? Yea, right! God's going to send our savior from a place like that!"
There's some great symbolism in that, but let me move on. Philip invites him to "come and see". Now, this is the real interesting part for me.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming, and obviously he was with other people, because he said "of him" (not "to him", but Nathanael did hear the comment). What Jesus said was, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"
No guile? And an Israelite indeed? Remember, Nathanael just questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth. I mean, Thomas got the reputation of being a doubter (ever hear the term, "Doubting Thomas"?) but what about this?
The rest of the story is Nathanael asks if Jesus knows him, Jesus says yes.... Nathanael believes and Jesus tells him, "Hold on to your seat, cause you're going to see some great things!" But I wonder if anyone sees the humor in this that I do.
I'm not saying this is the way it was... Just wondering out loud... But it seems Jesus' statement was kind of like, "Oh, check this guy out! He don't think a guy like me can come from such a low slum like Nazareth.... Yep... Typical Israelite! No guile in him!" But not so much in a mean or rebuking way... More in a "ribbing" fashion. More meant to get a laugh yet to make a point to Nathanael that Jesus knew him, what he said and that Jesus had his eye on him (for good) before Nathanael knew it, even if Nathanael was skeptical. In other words, Jesus was being a bit sarcastic, but in a friendly way.
On the other hand.... Perhaps Jesus also meant what he said... Nathanael was skeptical and perhaps humored Philip when he came with him to meet Jesus.... He had guile in him! Yet, Jesus was looking at the man Nathanael would become. In whom -- as one of the 12 Apostles -- would truly have no guile in him.
I don't offer this as a point to debate, and I'm not saying it was truly the mindset of Jesus or Nathanael. But it is the way I see it possibly happening. If you think I'm wrong, I won't argue...
What does this mean for salvation? Probably nothing. Is it important? Probably not. But I find it interesting. If anything, we know Jesus came as a flesh and blood man and had all of man's passions and characteristics. Jokes, sarcasm included????
In the Gospel of John 1:45-51 Jesus met Nathaneal. It seems to me to be an interesting and even whimsical meeting. Philip had just been introduced to Jesus and runs off to find his buddy, Nathanael. Obviously excited, he tells Nathanael, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazaeth, the son of Joseph."
Nathanael's response? "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"
Now, looking at a few Bible commentators (Barnes, Gill, Clarke), I get the impression that Nazareth wasn't such a nice place. It had a bad reputation! Deservingly so? I don't know. But if it is true, this explains Nathanael's response. He was saying, "Get real! That gutter? Yea, right! God's going to send our savior from a place like that!"
There's some great symbolism in that, but let me move on. Philip invites him to "come and see". Now, this is the real interesting part for me.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming, and obviously he was with other people, because he said "of him" (not "to him", but Nathanael did hear the comment). What Jesus said was, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"
No guile? And an Israelite indeed? Remember, Nathanael just questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth. I mean, Thomas got the reputation of being a doubter (ever hear the term, "Doubting Thomas"?) but what about this?
The rest of the story is Nathanael asks if Jesus knows him, Jesus says yes.... Nathanael believes and Jesus tells him, "Hold on to your seat, cause you're going to see some great things!" But I wonder if anyone sees the humor in this that I do.
I'm not saying this is the way it was... Just wondering out loud... But it seems Jesus' statement was kind of like, "Oh, check this guy out! He don't think a guy like me can come from such a low slum like Nazareth.... Yep... Typical Israelite! No guile in him!" But not so much in a mean or rebuking way... More in a "ribbing" fashion. More meant to get a laugh yet to make a point to Nathanael that Jesus knew him, what he said and that Jesus had his eye on him (for good) before Nathanael knew it, even if Nathanael was skeptical. In other words, Jesus was being a bit sarcastic, but in a friendly way.
On the other hand.... Perhaps Jesus also meant what he said... Nathanael was skeptical and perhaps humored Philip when he came with him to meet Jesus.... He had guile in him! Yet, Jesus was looking at the man Nathanael would become. In whom -- as one of the 12 Apostles -- would truly have no guile in him.
I don't offer this as a point to debate, and I'm not saying it was truly the mindset of Jesus or Nathanael. But it is the way I see it possibly happening. If you think I'm wrong, I won't argue...
What does this mean for salvation? Probably nothing. Is it important? Probably not. But I find it interesting. If anything, we know Jesus came as a flesh and blood man and had all of man's passions and characteristics. Jokes, sarcasm included????
