Do you ever feel disqualified from serving God because of your background or lack of pedigree? Do critical comments leave you feeling insufficient? Take heart! Even Jesus faced skepticism when calling his disciples.
Imagine one of those struggling towns or cities near you – a place perhaps known for economic hardship and a less-than-stellar reputation, a location on the “other side of the tracks.” That’s a good picture of Nazareth. We might romanticize it now because of its association with Jesus, but Nathanael, who would soon become one of Jesus’ disciples, didn’t see it that way.
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked Philip. Philip’s response was simple: “Come and see.” (John 1:46)
It’s a powerful exchange. Nathanael’s initial skepticism highlights the common human tendency to judge based on appearances and reputation. Philip’s invitation, however, offers a different approach: direct experience and open-mindedness.
More importantly, anyone who responds to Jesus can experience the transformative power described by John: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
Following Christ makes us joint heirs of God’s kingdom, which is a pretty nice place to be, regardless of where you are from! This faith transcends geographical limitations and societal expectations. It’s about who we become in Christ, not where we started.
– Jim McNeff