Phillip & Nathanael (John 1:43-50)

Expectations…we all have them

How would we define the word expectations?

Expectations - the strong belief that something will go one way or another

What normally forms our expectations? Or what are our expectations based on?

are normally based on how our realities have turned out, or what’s happened in our lives

some expectations we have are high … and some are low

We don’t use the word “expectation” necessarily as a positive word

it’s easier to now have any expectations because the last time you had expectations, they weren’t met

and this usually leads us to feeling disappointed or frustrated or isolated

expected a person to actually show up for you and they never did

expected a person to be or do a certain thing or solve/fix a certain problem…

expected that if you tried harder, you’d get the result you wanted, but you didn’t

expected that everything would go according to the plan you created, but if anything, it went the exact opposite

so…its easier to have low or no expectations

We see someone who dealt with some low expectations. But we’ll see that not only were his expectations exceeded, his whole outlook on life changed because of an encounter with Jesus.

As read earlier in John 1 – many people had a lot of expectations on the messiah – but those expectations were different from reality

v.43 – “Follow me”

walk with me, be my disciple, study my ways of living

v.45 –

Phillip knew this was indeed the Messiah and was excited to share the news with one of his good friends, Nathanael

Phillip was excited that the very person they’d all been waiting for has arrived! Life would be different. A fresh start; God’s promise coming to pass

Nathan had a different reaction

v.46 – “Can anything good come out of Nazareth”

When we read Nathan’s response, how would we describe his attitude? His posture towards Jesus from Nazareth?

Nathan’s reaction was pretty prejudiced

But it was based on a stereotype that influenced his expectations

Nathan’s expectations of Nazareth and anything that would come from there were pretty low (though Nathan was form a small village as well…high school Friday night lights…you always think less of the competition)

Nazareth was a very small town of no importance

Georgia football vs Georgia Tech

“How can such a good thing, the Messiah, come from there?”

Sometimes we can think in areas of life… “how can something good come from something like…this or that”

v.46b – “Come and see”

Phillip gives the best 3 words and I think 3 of the most important words that we can say and tell anyone: “COME AND SEE”

These simple words were an invitation that would change the trajectory of Nathan’s life and invitation for other’s lives to change

Phillip is saying “Yeah, I know you have these low expectations. I know you don’t expect much to come from Nazareth. But if you come, take a step, see things with. You own eyes, I promise you, you won’t be disappointed. In fact, I’d challenge that the reality you’re about to come across is better than your expectations. Just come and see”

Ppl in our community and in our church may have expectations about us and our church…may be high…may be low. They have certain thoughts about who we are and who we think we are

Phillip’s answer “come and see” is not a “come and see all these great things that are going on, or the big party, or the great crowds, or all these different programs and event that are going on…”

No…Phillip is giving the invitation to “come and see” Jesus…that’s it

And that is how we should approach everything when we encounter people

Not “let’s first get them on our campus and connect with some people”…or “let’s have this available and bring people in”….just simply “come and see and experience Jesus”

v.47-49

Jesus and Nathan’s interaction…what’s something interesting that we read in v.47?

“then Jesus saw Nathan and said about him…”

What does this mean? What can we gather from how this is recorded?

3 things about Jesus

Jesus recognized who Nathan was

Jesus intentionally engaged with Nathan

Jesus knew exactly who Nathan was

v.47b – “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (there is no fraud or lie)

Jesus identifies Nathan as a guy who tells the truth

Calls it as he sees it

Doesn’t sugarcoat what’s going through his mind

Jesus being a lil tongue n cheek

v.48 – “How do you know me?”… “Before even Phillip talked to you about me, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you”

Now, could Jesus have physically seen Nathan under the fig tree…possibly…but judging by Nathan’s response I don’t think that was the case…Nathan thought he was alone there

When Jesus said he saw Nathan under the fig tree…that completely turned Nathan’s world upside down; completely changed and threw out his expectations; it was a moment that changed not only the trajectory of Nathan’s life right then (being seen and known truly) but for the rest of his life…ultimately transformed by Jesus

“I saw you”; “I know you deeply”; “I know your expectations, worries, desires, your realities, what you shared with the Father”

For whatever reason Nathan was under the fig tree; but based on his response he was having a private moment that was probably just between him and God, in that moment talking to God honestly about something he was walking through…but something that no one else knew.

Jesus knows us…even better than we know ourselves**

How would you feel if the first time you pass by someone and meet them they tell you something that you were just talking to no one but God about…supernatural right? And remember…people didn’t live with the Holy Spirit in them

The only way for someone to know is if they were God

Jesus brought up that moment intentionally to show Nathan that He knows the realities of what Nathan was walking through and is here to exceed expectations.

Nathan’s response: “Teacher…Son of God…King of Israel!” (v.49)

v.50

You’re amazed that I told you I saw and knew you under the fig tree…just wait when I finish what I came to accomplish

Jesus came to exceed expectations – not only of what He is like, but what God is like

God knows the intimate details of your life

God knows the trials and exciting things that you’re facing

God knows the things you don’t share; the disappointments that left you jaded and broken

God know the hopes and dreams for something more

There is a reason to hope and dream and get excited

With Jesus, there’s abundantly more than you could ever expect…just need to “come and see”