43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
Recently, there has been more and more historical and religious insight gained regarding the northern area of Israel called Galilee around the time of Jesus. Galilee has been found to be the land of rabbis and religious Jews who were known for their emphasis on a close relationship with God and the performance of good deeds. They were known as the Hasidim (the “kind ones”). There were some ancient rabbis, Galilean Hasidim, who were actually known among the people as miracle-workers. Their “miracle working power” was said to be sourced from their deep prayer life. This was the religious climate in Galilee around the time of Jesus.
When Jesus says, "follow me" he is actually saying "accompany me" or "walk alongside me" according to the original Greek of the verse.
You are never alone, and even when Jesus says "follow me," he will be right there next to you, helping you every step of the Way!
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
The name Nathanael means “given by God”… Jesus was about to give him an amazing gift.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
The city of Nazareth may not have been highly regarded by Nathanael, but it was home to Jesus. It is interesting that the name Nazareth was quite possibly taken from the Hebrew root word “Nazar” meaning “branch.” Nazareth would then literally mean something like “branchtown.” This is actually very significant prophetically. There are some places in Isaiah that speak of the “Branch” and they clearly are speaking as prophecies of the Messiah. Here are two examples:
Isaiah 4:2 “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”
Isaiah 11:1 “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots”
So, when Jesus was labeled as “Jesus of Nazareth” and possibly also when he was called “Jesus the Nazarene” he was being called, “Jesus the Branch (from the kingly house of Jesse, King David’s father).” Therefore, “the Branch” was a kingly and Messianic label.
This all comes full-circle when we realize that the first label of the followers of Christ was “the Nazarenes” which would have literally meant “the branches”! Could this kingly name be given to Christians because we are seen as royalty since we belong to the King?
Revelation 1:6 says, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
When Jesus says that he saw Nathanael under the fig tree, it would set off several things in Nathanael’s mind.
First, he may wonder how Jesus saw him from such a distance and why he was spying on him.
Second, he would recognize that the fig tree is a metaphor for prayer and being in the state of communing with God within Judaism. Nathanael was most likely praying under a fig tree, and Jesus saw him in the Spirit.
The fig tree is also a symbol of the time when the Messiah rules and reigns!
Prayer:
Lord, help me to follow you in all your ways and to emphasize what you emphasized in your life through the power of your Spirit in me. I ask you to make me a “branch” who lives up to my royal potential as a child of God. Remind me every day that I am a royal priest and that the calling you have given to me is profound and amazingly important. Thank you for your example. Thank you that you always watch over me.
Amen
“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” – Proverbs 8:11
All Bible Verses are from the KJV Unless Otherwise Noted
All images used are in the public domain from Pixabay
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