The Skeptical Student

John 1:1-4,14
¹ In the beginning was the Word (Logos) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him, all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and in that life was the light of all mankind . . . ¹⁴ And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory.

• Telos – purpose

John 1:29 (ESV)
. . . Behold the lamb of God . . .

John 1:45-50
⁴⁵ 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.” ⁴⁶ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. ⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”  ⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”   ⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” ⁵⁰ Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” ⁵¹ He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

Three Things We Can Relate to In Nathanael’s Life

• He is full of pride.

John 1:47-49
⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”  ⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”  ⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

John 8:31 (ESV)
. . . “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

• He is searching for answers to his life.

John 13:34-35
³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

• What did Jesus give to Nathanael?

John 1:50
Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

Questions:

1. What did you hear from the Holy Spirit?
2. What will you do because of it?
3. How can we pray for you?