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PRAYER OF THE DAY
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful redeemer,
for the countless blessings and benefits you give.
May we know you more clearly, love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly, day by day praising you,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen
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 43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me. " 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip 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." 46Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." 49 Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." 51 And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
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It is a practice in our faith community to have dramas either around Christmas or Easter. Our organist writes them and our choir along with some of our members presents them to the community around us. They are wonderful experiences. Our members and choir put their hearts and souls into it. After viewing a rehearsal, I told my fellow Rotarians that they have to come and see this drama. That it was a wonderful and heartwarming story and you have to see it.
Haven't you had similar experiences where something captivated you and you wanted others to experience what you are experiencing. A woman gets engaged and wants to show off her ring says to her friend came and have a look.
When Jesus asked Philip to come and follow him, Philips life was changed. When he sat and listened to Jesus' words, he knew who Jesus was. That He was the Messiah, the promised one of God. He was so excited that he could not contain himself but had to run and find Nathanael.
In the short dialogue that we have here, Nathanael is astonished in Jesus words. He then also proclaims, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" He had experienced Jesus. He knew exactly who Jesus was. His experience with Jesus, lead him into a deeper faith.
When we come to worship and partake of the sacraments we are experience the power and greatness of Jesus in our lives. I remember the first time I went to a Lutheran worship service and experienced Eucharist, I was in awe. I had felt the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. It was a great experience and I knew that God wanted me here. I came and saw. Like Philip, Andrew, Peter, Nathanael and the rest of the disciples did when they were called.
Each Sunday or at any opportunity we should come and see and experience the greatness and power of God. It does change lives if only we be open to the Spirit's power. Come experience and see what Jesus can do in your life as well.
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