Wednesday of the First Week in Lent

Read John 1:43–51

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Nazareth? You’re kidding. That backwater town never produced anything more than a few mediocre craftsmen. So when Philip bounds up to me this morning, telling me that the deliverer we’ve been seeking for thousands of years is named Jesus of Nazareth, it’s all I can do not to laugh in his face. Philip says, Go see for myself. So I do.

Even before I get all the way to him, this Jesus guy knows me. He says I’m a “true Israelite” and “without deceit.” And he knows I was sitting under a fig tree when Philip found me. Kidding aside, I’m sold. This Nazarene knows his stuff. He’s the real deal. Jesus tells me I’m in for even more than I’ve just seen. Let’s do it.

Jesus, help me to move beyond preconceptions and prejudices to see you at work. And let me be faithful to follow you.