John 1:43-51

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about
whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of
Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good
come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
(1:45-46)

It was Nathanael’s cynicism that got the best of him. One could
imagine that there had been other moments of heightened
expectations, expectations that had been destroyed by all the things
that can destroy the most noble of human efforts. Maybe there had
been another charismatic figure in whom he had trusted. And now
Philip was saying there was one among them who had been foretold
in Scripture. Foreshadowing Thomas, Nathanael remained deeply
skeptical.

“Come and see,” said Philip, and Nathanael did—and his life was
never the same. Cynical and skeptical about the enormity of
problems confronting our world, are we able to hear and respond to
Philip’s words? Come and see the risen Lord in the depth of human
need and in the brokenness of the human heart.

Be not afraid.

—Duncan Gray III