John 1:44-51 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.… I. THE CALL OF PHILIP. 1. Christ "findeth him." It was not by chance, although the circumstances may have seemed so to Philip. It was without any concurrence of his. Christ is found of them who sought Him not. The arrangements were Christ's. And whatever the agency now, Christ is the seeker and finder. 2. Christ said "Follow Me" for the first time. (1) An invitation. (2) A command, as all sovereign invitations are, requiring obedience. (3) Implying grace to accept. The followers of Christ — (a) Look to Him as sheep to a shepherd; as the Israelites to the pillar of cloud; as soldiers to their captain. (b) And, obeying, separate themselves from sin, from the world, from self, from every connection inconsistent with following Him fully. (c) Abide with Him. II. THE CALL OF NATHANAEL. 1. Philip findeth him, being qualified by being found himself. On the same day he was made a disciple he conferred not with flesh and blood, but as Christ's instrument finds his friend. (1) Philip's faith, "We have found Him of whom Moses," etc. All Scripture treats of Christ and faith in that leads to faith in Him. (2) Philip's partial ignorance. "Son of Joseph." "Nazareth." This ignorance at once placed him at a disadvantage, and was the occasion of prejudice as is the ignorance of many Christians now. Observe the faithfulness of Scripture in not concealing the infirmities of the saints. But his intention was upright, and Christ honoured it by leading Nathanael through Philip to Himself. (A. Beith, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.WEB: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. |
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