Tag / Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah

by In Light Of The Cross

A Divine Affirmation for an Ordinary guy

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” John 1:47 NKJV

We don’t hear much about Nathanael before or after this story. Nathanael does not go on to be a world renowned preacher. If he wrote anything it was never published in the Cannon. There is no record of him parting the waters, or calling fire down from heaven. By all accounts he was just an ordinary guy, but wow, what an awesome affirmation he received from God. Before Nathanael met Jesus, Jesus already knew him by name and publicly recognized his integrity. I am more than happy to just remain a common ordinary guy, so long as I can hear Jesus one day say about me what He said about Nathanel. Such an affirmation coming from God means way more to me than all the worldly accomplishments and fame this world can give. 

Nathanael is not the only “ordinary guy” that God knew by name and held in high esteem. In Exodus 31:1-6 God calls out Bezalel and Aholiab by name as the “construction workers” he wanted working on the temple. He even said they were filled with His Spirit, so God not only fills priests and pastors with His Spirit, He fills people in all walks of life.  In Nehemiah 3:1-32 Nehemiah calls out several construction workers by name, who made repairs in rebuilding Jerusalem. A few weeks ago, Florida, where I live was hit by two hurricanes. Linemen came from all over the country, and even some from Canada to help restore electricity to our communities. All our churches were praying for these linemen. In Revelation 1:20 we see how Jesus holds His ministers in His hands, but I realized that God also knew these linemen by name and held them in His hands as well. 

The world may have some kind of hierarchy, but we all stand on level ground at the foot of the cross and in the presence of God. God does not esteem us according to our fame or worldly status. We may be just ordinary folk to the world, but still be precious in the eyes and in the hands of God. I would gladly trade all the praise and esteem this world has to give just to hear Jesus say about me, “Behold, a man indeed, in whom is no deceit!”  By God’s grace, no matter what our positions or worldly titles may be, no matter how common or ordinary we may appear, we may all hear Jesus tell us, 

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:21 NKJV

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

4: Wintesses of Christ as the Messiah-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, Sabbath, October 26, 2024.

Main Theme: This week begins with the powerful witness of John the Baptist. Other witnesses come on the stage as well: Andrew and Simon Peter, Philip and Nathanael, and a most unexpected witness, the Pharisee Nicodemus. But another witness stands back in the shadows (that other disciple with Andrew, in John 1:35; John 1:40)—John himself.

Read in Class: John 1:19-23. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: How did John the Baptist explain his ministry and mission?

Apply: In what way should we, as Seventh-day Adventists, do the same kind of ministry as did John the Baptist? What are the parallels?

Share: Your friend asks you how John the Baptist knew Jesus was the Messiah? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 1:29-39. Ask the class the define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What proclamation does John the Baptist make about Jesus? What image does he use to depict Him, and why is it so significant in understanding who Jesus was and what His mission would be? What did these two disciples do after hearing John’s witness about Jesus?

Apply: Read Mark 10:45, Romans 5:6, and 1 Peter 2:24. How do these verses help us understand the role of Jesus as “the Lamb of God”? Consider deeply Jesus’ title as “the Lamb of God.” What images does it bring to mind, and how does its linkage to the Old Testament sacrificial system help you appreciate the great price of our salvation?

Share: Your friend asks, you, “In what ways has Christ, and your faith in Christ, changed your life? What other changes would you still like to see happen?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 1:43-51. Have the class summarize this passage.

Study: What did Philip’s message reveal about his faith in Jesus already? How did Jesus convince Nathanael of who He was, and what was Nathanael’s response?

Apply: While we don’t hear much about or from Nathaniel other than this brief passage, Jesus spoke very highly of him. What does this tell you about how God regards those of us who live normal everyday lives?

Share: Your friend asks, what Nathaniel meant by “can anything good come out of Nazareth?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 3:1-21. Ask the class the summarize this passage.

Study: How does the testimony of Nicodemus support the theme of the Gospel of John?

Apply: What did Jesus say to Nicodemus to show that He could see right through him?

Share: Your friend asks, “What does it mean to be “born again,” and why would Jesus put such emphasis on it?” What do you tell your friend?