Morning Devotional

November 17, 2004
"Can Anything Good Come From Nazareth?"

by Don Emmitte

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Philip went off to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth." "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from there?" "Just come and see for yourself," Philip said. As they approached, Jesus said, "Here comes an honest man--a true son of Israel." "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked. And Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." Nathanael replied, "Teacher, you are the Son of God--the King of Israel!" Jesus asked him, "Do you believe all this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." (John 1:45-50 NLT).

Faith and Logan will be one year old in a few days. They are growing at such a rapid pace now. Logan is already walking and Faith is not far behind. Soon they will be talking and the fun will really begin. I remember when my sons were small. Their curiosity was insatiable. They asked questions quicker than I could answer them. Once, while walking in the mall, trying to answer the rapid-fire interrogation of one of the boys, a lady walking behind us remarked, “I bet you wish you had a nickel for every question he asks!” They were certainly not afraid to ask!

Neither was Nathanael in our reading this morning. As we study this passage a little deeper, we begin to understand where Nathanael was coming from with his question. Nazareth was not where the “great” people came from. It was like a Samaria. In Nazareth, located in Galilee, they worship pagans. No one actually admitted, “being from” Nazareth, especially a good Jew. Can anything good come from there was probably a fair question. Philip, who wants to introduce Nathanael to Jesus, probably knows it is best to let him see for himself. This can be a reminder to us that it is not our job to “sell Jesus” to anyone. Point them to the One who saves and let Him speak for Himself!

But, I want you to think of this verse in another way today. “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” What’s your Nazareth? What in your life is not very pleasant right now? Don’t you wonder if any good could ever come from it? Do you have a situation like that right now? God promises that “all things work together for good”, doesn’t He? Are you wondering how He is going to do that?

The answer is here. Yes, something good can come from Nazareth! Jesus is a good thing to come from anywhere, isn’t He? So, what good can come from your problem area? Can you stretch your imagination? I have a feeling Nathanael couldn’t have imagined how wonderful Jesus of Nazareth would be! I also have a feeling that God’s answer to your trial will be no less significant! Trust Him for good! He won’t let you down!