"Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said unto him, Come and see." (John 1:45-46)
A whole volume could not describe the standing of Nazareth any better than Nathanael's question of astonishment. It had a bad reputation. It was so bad that nobody expected any good thing from it. Yet Jesus was all His earthly life associated with Nazareth, and He is still known as "Jesus of Nazareth."
It would have been according to human nature to associate His name with some more renowned place. Any ordinary man would have taken care that he should be announced as from Jerusalem, or from Capernaum: but Jesus was content to be heralded as "Jesus of Nazareth." "[He] made himself of no reputation [for our sakes]." (Philippians 2:7)
From this simple fact we may derive both comfort and instruction. We may be comforted by the knowledge that Jesus identifies Himself with the humblest and the most despised. No matter how poor and despised people are, nor how degraded they are, if they but come to Him in faith, "He is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Hebrews 2:11)
This is most comforting. And we should learn also from "Jesus of Nazareth," not to despise or reject any person because of his birth or station. Many a man who has lived all his life in a hovel, and had only shabby clothing, will yet dwell in a mansion, and be clothed in light as the brightness of the firmament. Martin Luther was a miner's son, John Bunyan was only a tinker, and one of the grandest titles of the Lord of all worlds is "Jesus of Nazareth."
Come and See
When Nathanael said to Philip, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46)
Philip's only reply was, "Come and see." (John 1:46)
He did not argue the question, but took the only sure way to convince the questioner; he led him to Jesus, that he might see for himself.
It was thus that the woman of Samaria convinced her neighbors. She did not argue with them, but said, "Come and see." "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (John 4:29)
When they saw Jesus, they believed on Him, as Nathanael did. "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto Him, they besought Him that He would tarry with them: and He abode there two days. And many more believed because of His own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of your saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." (John 4:39-42)
That is the Christian's strongest and only valid argument. He may argue, but the unbeliever can argue also; but when a man sees Jesus there need nothing more be said.
So in everything Jesus is to be lifted up and presented to the people, and He will do the convincing. Blessed are they whose lives, as well as their words, say, "Come and see."--Present Truth, November 16, 1893--Timeline: II-5 (The First Disciples)--John 1:45-46.