“A surprising ‘game’ of dominos”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Thursday, August 4, 2022
John 1:43-51 (Forward, p. 6) CEV p. 1101
In common usage we often speak of the domino effect, where one action or decision, has not just one unintended consequence, but also a whole series of them. In glancing over today’s account, I can’t help but wonder whether this sort of thing took place there.
Prior to today’s account, Jesus has presumably been at the south end of the Jordan River, somewhere close to where it empties into the Dead Sea. (This is the usually designated area for John’s baptismal ministry). (The nearest part of Galilee is some 141 km. (87 miles) away—a four to five-day walking journey at best. However, in spite of this considerable distance, the very next day after calling Andrew and the others to be His disciples, Jesus decides to hoof it up all the way to Galilee, no small feat at all!
However, this little journey was perhaps only the first domino of the series, for who does He meet there in Galilee but Philip, who was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter? A mere coincidence? Maybe, but maybe not? (A second domino?)
Here I cannot help but wonder whether Peter, Andrew and that other unnamed disciple that had been with Andrew was not along with Jesus on this occasion. (After all, the account in Acts [Acts 1:22] where a successor to Judas is chosen, speaks of the prospective candidates needing to have been with Jesus from the time of His baptism until His ascension). Indeed, there ‘may’ have been several people in this entourage.
Anyway, if Peter and Andrew were indeed with Jesus on this occasion, this might have provided a good ‘In’ for Jesus’ first contact with Philip and might have persuaded him that this was ‘a good thing.’
Somehow, Philip must have been impressed—the third domino—for he immediately seeks out yet another friend, Nathanael, who obviously is very much a ‘seeker’. Nathanael is notably ‘less than impressed’, especially when he hears that Jesus is from Nazareth. Nathanael, like so many in Israel, knew where the Messiah was to be born—and it was not Nazareth!
His mind was made up: “Can anything good can come from Nazareth?”, he asks. Philip, however, knowing that it was better not to try to argue with someone with such an entrenched opinion, simply said to him, “Come and see.” It was a wise move on Philip’s part, as personal experience always trumps opinion--another domino.
It is interesting, therefore, to see how things unfold. When Nathanael was still coming, Jesus had a revelation about him and pre-emptied any objection Nathanael might have had by sharing with him what He had seen: “Here is a true descendant of our ancestor Israel, in whom there is no guile [no deceit]”.
So, what is Jesus up to in mentioning this famous person from Jewish history? Israel, previously known as Jacob, was famous and important in its history, and, to start with, was anything but free from deceit or guile. (
Actually, he was quite ambitious and quite a cheater, a man of guile if there ever was one).
My guess is that Jacob’s story had a special significance to Nathanael, and so Jesus was able to strike a chord that particularly resonated with him. And, perhaps the whole question of sincerity and deceit were important to him.
Obviously this is the case for Nathanael immediately exclaims, “How do you know me?” Jesus has indeed struck a chord. Another domino.
Here Jesus’ answer is particularly enigmatic and puzzling, such that its meaning is obvious only to Himself and Nathanael: “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” And how does Nathanael respond? It is most incredible, and surprising, for a born sceptic like himself: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God and the King of Israel!”
It would seem that there is something symbolic here, for a mere physical sighting of himself under a tree would not likely have called forth such a response as that! I’m thinking that it may have symbolized a meditative, contemplative nature, or a calm, peaceful repose, or something like that. Actually, we will never know, but whatever it was, it killed all of Nathanael’s doubts, reservations and questions.
Meeting Jesus, getting to know Him, is like that. Experience silences all of these, and so the invitation, ‘come and see’, is most appropriate for any and everyone. And while we can no longer come and see Him physically, we can still invite Him into our lives and experience Him spiritually. And, that experience will transform us, just as it did Nathanael. We are never told, in the Scriptures at least, just where this ‘domino sequence’ led Nathanael, but we can guess that it was pretty exciting, just as it will be for us. Amen.
Forward notes: “Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’” (verse 46).
“Come with me into my garden in the early morning, where the birds sing and the spiders weave their webs. Pause near the azalea bush where the old shed stood and listen to something small and furry rustling in the underbrush. It’s hard to go inside and begin the day’s work after that.
“It must have been harder for Nathanael, studying the laws of Moses under the fig tree. Deep in fervent prayer that the Messiah would come, Nathanael is skeptical when Philip interrupts him and essentially says, ‘Guess what? We’ve found him!’
“But when Nathanael does meet Jesus, prayer turns into reality, and Jesus issues the simple, yet profound invitation: Come and see. Follow me. We are called to walk in the footprints that began in Nazareth so many years ago to reach out with love to our brothers and sisters. On that path, the blind will see, and the lame will walk, the hungry will be fed, and the poor will be given their own fig trees. It is on that path that we, too, will see heaven opened.
Moving Forward: “How do you show others through your love, word, and deeds that you follow Christ?”