God’s Light Shining on Culture
“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God –
the King of Israel!” (John 1:46,49 NLT)
God’s light can never leave you the same, unless you are completely blind. There are some details of our cultures that will really be detestable and shameful if they are brought to the light; and there are certain details in your relationship that you sincerely hope never come to light. What happens when God’s light shines on our cultures and relationships? Nathanael is a good example of a serious turn around as a result of God’s light shining upon him. We continue to celebrate Jesus Christ as the true light that gives light to everyone; we have already seen how He was prophesied as the great light shining upon the Northerners who were walking in deep darkness (Is 9:2); then he was revealed to wise Easterners by way of an indicative shining star, that eventually led them to Bethlehem (Matt 2:1-2).
When he was invited to Jesus Christ by Philip, Nathanael’s first response was that of despise – doubting such a good thing would originate from Galilee. Though he himself came from that end, he looked down upon this Northern region because of longstanding historical and cultural reasons. Their proximity with hostile and sometimes attacking neighbours brought occasional suffering and undesired mixing (intermarriage); the Jews here, therefore, were not ‘pure’. Moreover, the royal tribe of Judah was never settled here; and Nazareth itself was a place proverbially wicked – ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ The cultural prejudice and contempt are challenged.
Matthew Henry notes two points of ignorance that could have occasioned Nathanael’s objection. If he meant that no good thing could come out of Nazareth it was owing to his ignorance of the divine grace. If he meant that the Messiah, that great good thing, could not come out of Nazareth, then he was ignorant of the matter of fact, that this Jesus was born at Bethlehem in Judah – as was prophesied. The blunder (incompleteness) Philip made, in calling him Jesus of Nazareth, occasioned this objection. Note that the mistakes of preachers can often give rise to the prejudices of hearers.
Nathanael could not hide culturally or physically; indeed, even before he came close, Jesus had ‘seen’ him under the fig tree. And upon revealing this, Nathanael now receives the Messiah, no matter where he comes from and calls him by the lofty titles ‘Rabbi’ and ‘King’ (John 1:49). When light shines on culture, all prejudices must fall to the ground; it matters not where a teacher comes from, or what is the place of his birth, provided he be authorized of God and qualified for his work. May God’s light shine on your own culture to release you to receive the Messiah with open hands; and may God’s light shine upon your relationships that you will live righteously as the redeemed of the Lord.
God bless you all.