Dear all,

I hope and pray this letter finds you well.    This week we look at the start of the ministry of Jesus from the gospel of John when Jesus is starting to assemble His team of disciples.  The passage is John 1: 43 – 51.  Have you ever felt surprised or shocked that an offer has been made to you which you were not expecting?  Can you imagine the scene, a new prophet has arrived and one day he turns to you and simply says ‘follow me.’   Not “would you like to apply for a new job”, or “would you like to come for a job interview”, or “would you like to engage in this application process?”, just follow me.  Can you imagine in that instant deciding to literally drop everything and follow Jesus?  How incredible is that, leaving your way of life, your work and everything you currently do to follow Jesus.  In one sense it is extremely exciting but on the other hand very daunting.  What would your family say, who is going to provide your income, how are you going to live? 

This is exactly what happened to Philip.  Notice Philip did not reply by asking a lot of questions, although I am sure he had a few.  He went straightaway and found Nathaniel to share the experience with him and in so doing linked Jesus to the one Moses wrote about in the Old Testament.  This demonstrates that He knew who Jesus was and the significance of His coming.  Nathaniel goes with Philip to investigate further and Jesus instantly says something of significance about Nathaniel which astounds him.  With that Nathaniel is convinced and we assume from the text that he also follows Jesus. 

How amazing it is that when Jesus issues such a compelling call it causes grown men to abandon everything and follow Him.  In addition, when He gives insightful comments about Nathaniel’s personality when He has not previously engaged him in conversation but observed him from a distance, it shows how Jesus’ manner and personality attracted people to listening to Him. 

Can you imagine going shopping one day (pre Covid) in Northwood and minding your own business and then being challenged by a charismatic prophet to follow him and at the same time he tells you things about yourself that ordinarily he couldn’t possibly know?  Whilst that is pretty remarkable, it would not happen, but it illustrates that this event was a life changing encounter for those first disciples.   Now imagine for one moment you encounter Jesus today. What does He say to you, what would you like Him to say?  I imagine Jesus would be saying, do not worry, keep hopeful, stay calm, things are going to get better, keep trusting in me and remember I am with you always.  Jesus offers so many good and uplifting promises in the Bible, let us hold onto them as we move forward through this winter month of January. 

May our Lord Jesus Christ, Rabbi, Teacher, Prophet, bless us now and always,