Bishop Eric Menees
Over
this Season of Epiphany, my Bishop’s Notes will focus on how God makes manifest
the person and character of Jesus. Last Sunday we celebrated the Baptism of
Jesus, and we heard - from the Gospel of Mark - how God tore open the heavens
and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus “...like a dove.” Then, just to put an
exclamation point on it, God the Father spoke to His only begotten son saying: “You
are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)
This
Sunday we will celebrate the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, but rather than
making the person and character of Jesus manifest in a dramatic way, the story
of the call of Nathaniel is subtly compelling.
You
will recall, from the first chapter of the Gospel of John (John 1:43-51), that
Jesus calls Philip, who is from Bethsaida, to follow Him. Philip responds to
Jesus’ call to follow him, and then witnesses to his friend Nathaniel declaring
without reservation: “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also
the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45)
The
first way that the person and character of Jesus is made manifest in this scripture
is through Philip's testimony to his friend Nathaniel. Philip doesn’t make a
weak and vague identification of Jesus’ identity. Philip clearly states that
Jesus is the Messiah - the long expected one of prophesy! Nathaniel’s response
is: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip answers
simply: “Come and see!”
How
important it is for us to witness to one another about Jesus, and then to
follow that up with an invitation to meet Jesus personally! Of course Philip
brings Nathaniel to Jesus, who demonstrates that he knows Nathaniel’s
character: “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”
(John 1:47)
Nathaniel is flabbergasted that Jesus knows him – knows his character
and, by extension, knows his history. He asks: “How do you know me?” And Jesus
responds: “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I
saw you.” (John 1:48 ESV) Jesus makes it clear that he doesn’t know of
Nathaniel because Philip has told him – Jesus saw him before Philip had even
spoken to Nathaniel. Jesus was interested in Nathaniel the same way that he is
interested in you and me!
Nathaniel’s response is the same as that of all who come to a saving
relationship with Jesus is: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the
King of Israel!” (John 1:49 ESV)
The
cycle of Epiphany is clear: we meet Jesus, who already knows us; we tell others
about him and invite them to meet him; and, when they do, the cycle repeats.
I pray you every blessing
and peace this Second Sunday of Epiphany!
Catechism Questions 61-63
61. Why does the
Creed make a point of saying that Jesus died?
The Creed makes the point to
emphasize that Jesus died a real, bodily death such as all people face because
of our sins. (Matthew 27:45-51)
62. Why does the
Creed emphasize Jesus’ death in this way?
The Creed emphasizes Jesus’ death
to counter suspicions that Jesus did not truly die on the cross, to celebrate
the fact that He died there to secure our salvation, and to prepare our minds
to grasp the glory of his bodily resurrection.
63. What does
the Creed mean by saying that Jesus descended to the dead?
That Jesus descended to the dead
means that he truly died; his spirit did not remain with his body, but entered
the realm of death. (1 Peter 3:19)
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