The First 15

Monday September 20, 2021

by Jan Davis

Today is Monday, September 20 and this week we are exploring life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ in the gospels.

Opening Prayer

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

I am here listening for your voice, Father God. Speak to my heart the message you have for me today. Come Holy Spirit, lead me into a fresh encounter with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Scripture Reading

Today I join the people of God rejoicing and praising him with the words of Psalm 100.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:1-5

Pause and Pray

In the gospel of John, Jesus leaves the city of Jerusalem and travels to Galilee. He has already called two brothers from the town of Bethsaida (Andrew and Peter) to be his disciples. Then Jesus calls another man from Bethsaida to follow him, his name is Philip. Philip goes to his friend, Nathanael, who has not yet met Jesus. Philip invites him to “come and see,” this Jesus of Nazareth who he believes is the Messiah of God. Nathanael is skeptical and doubts Jesus’ identity until he encounters Jesus for himself.

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” John 1:45-49

Reflection

Today I reflect over a lifetime of hearing stories about Jesus. I remember the people who found me and told me who Jesus was. I recall those who invited me, just as Philip invited Nathanael, to “come and see” Jesus for myself. Like Nathanael who first heard this news from his friend Philip, at times I have also been skeptical and full of doubt. People say Jesus is more than a good man who lived long ago, more than a teacher, more than a prophet. People say Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. Like Nathanael, I sometimes doubted. An encounter with Jesus changes people. Only an encounter with the Living Son of God can truly change my mind, my thinking, and ultimately my life.

Ask: Is an encounter with Jesus Christ a one time event in my life, or do I encounter Jesus again and again on my daily walk?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for those people who first told me the stories of Jesus. Forgive me for those times I doubted and still doubt you. Just like you saw Nathanael under the fig tree before he encountered you, you also have me in your sight. Thank you for knowing my heart. Thank you for sending people into my life to invite me to encounter you. I read the words of John again and listen for what you want to speak into my life today.

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” John 1:45-49

Pause and Pray

What is God trying to say to me through the words and images found in this passage of scripture? How does it inform my journey of faith? I imagine sitting under the shade of a fig tree as Nathanael did. Jesus sees me before I see him. Jesus watches me from a distance. He knows my heart. He sees right through me. I notice that Nathanael approached Jesus; it was not the other way around. Jesus first saw Nathanael under the fig tree, and he waited for him to approach. Nathanael’s friend Philip played an important role in the encounter. Philip first tells him who Jesus is. Despite Nathanael’s negative response, he invites him to “come and see” for himself. Philip doesn’t try to convince Nathanael, he knows it is not worth the effort to convince him with words. A personal encounter with Jesus is what changes lives. I reflect on my life of faith from beginning to end. Who invited me to “come and see” Jesus? What led me to my belief that Jesus truly is the Son of God? Am I motivated to declare alongside Nathanael the truth of Jesus’ identity, “you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Pause and Pray

Jesus, see me, know me. I invite you to look into my heart and life. Reveal any deceit that is in me. I want to experience a fresh encounter with you today, Living Lord. As Nathanael stood up from his place under the shade of the fig tree and approached you, I come to you also. I want to “come and see” you, Lord. Remind me of who you truly are. Amen.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13

Closing Prayer

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I seek a fresh encounter with Jesus. Show me others who I can invite to “come and see” who Jesus is.

The First 15

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