Nathanael Under the Fig Tree
St. John's Anglican Church, Ashfield, Australia

Dear friends,

I am delighted to share my thoughts with you today on a passage from the Gospel of John, specifically John 1:43-51. In this passage, we see how Philip and Nathanael encounter Jesus, and how their lives are transformed by this encounter.

First, let us consider Philip. When Jesus calls him to follow him, Philip does not hesitate. He immediately recognizes Jesus as the one that the prophets had foretold, and he wants to share this good news with others. This is a wonderful example of faith in action, of someone who is open to new possibilities and who is willing to embrace change.

Nathanael, on the other hand, is more skeptical. When Philip tells him about Jesus, Nathanael expresses his doubt: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" But when he meets Jesus in person, he is amazed by what he sees. Jesus tells Nathanael that he saw him under the fig tree, and this convinces Nathanael that Jesus is indeed the Son of God.

What can we learn from this story? I believe that it reminds us of the importance of keeping an open mind and an open heart. We should be willing to listen to others and to consider new ideas, even if they challenge our assumptions or beliefs. We should be willing to take risks and to embrace change, even if it means stepping outside of our comfort zone.

But we should also be discerning, and not simply accept everything that we hear or see without questioning it. We should be willing to investigate and to explore, to seek out the truth and to test our beliefs against reality.

Finally, we should remember that our encounter with Jesus, like that of Philip and Nathanael, has the power to transform our lives. It can give us a new perspective, a new sense of purpose, and a new direction. We should be open to this transformation, and allow it to shape our thoughts, words, and deeds.

My dear friends, let us be like Philip and Nathanael, open to new possibilities, discerning in our approach, and transformed by our encounter with Jesus. May his teachings inspire us to be more compassionate, more loving, and more kind, and may we always be guided by the light of his wisdom and grace.