Jesus's Premonition Regarding Nathanael (TMF:2995)
Friday, October 30, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
Verse 47: “Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” Jesus’ apparent knowledge of Nathanael’s character displays that he had some inner, behind-the-scenes knowledge of what Nathanael was actually like. This seems to impress Nathanael, as it was articulated of his character, that he was known to be lacking in deceitfulness. Jesus expounds on this, in explaining that he knew about some earlier time, perhaps that which took place that very day, where Nathanael was under a fig tree. Peradventure a meditation time or praying to God, or even reading the Scriptures. We really don’t know.
The Process of Jesus's Calling Disciples, Part 2 (TMF:2994)
Thursday, October 29, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
What is meant is that as Jesus is going around calling these early disciples, it’s possible he didn’t even know yet who was going to be part of a select group of Twelve, or that there would even be a select group of Twelve. Luke tells us that, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12, ESV). And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles” (Luke 6:12, 13, ESV). Therefore, Luke relays to us that early on Jesus had disciples following him that would not become part of the Twelve. Now, we lack the knowledge as pertains to why Jesus particularly called Philip, but we do know that Philip went and found Nathanael, who was likely his friend. Nathanael points out that Nazareth apparently has a bad reputation as a village. Some theologians have speculated that this was due to Nazareth not being included in any prophecies. Therefore, staunch observers of the Jewish Law would have seen Nazareth as a second-rate area of the country.
The Process of Jesus's Calling Disciples, Part 1 (TMF:2993)
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
Verse 43: “The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” As Jesus is calling his early disciples, it should not be surmised that Jesus was rounding out the select Twelve. It’s likely that these early accounts were brought into the Scripture because of what these disciples would become—that is, part of the Twelve. What is meant is that as Jesus is going around calling these early disciples, it’s possible he didn’t even know yet who was going to be part of a select group of Twelve, or that there would even be a select group of Twelve. Luke tells us that, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12, ESV).
What is Our Answer to Jesus's Question? (TMF:2992)
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
God should be included somewhere first in our answer, and that seeking of God always includes righteousness. Righteousness. We can’t be true followers of God without righteousness. This is what we have been talking about. We first initially are saved from our sins, and in being saved from our sins, we should be seeking to live righteously. This is the hallmark of a believer in Jesus Christ, a person who has figured out what life is truly about. So Jesus renames Simon, son of John. The name comes out to be Cephas in Aramaic. Translating that to Greek, it comes out to Peter. The meaning behind the name is, as most probably have guessed, is ‘rock.’ This signifies the plan that Jesus has for Peter, and that is that he will build his church upon him. He won’t be the only leader, however. In fact, he was only the chief leader likely for a short time, and after that he is named as one leader among others. Nevertheless, Jesus will begin it with Peter.
Jesus's First Words Recorded By John (TMF:2991)
Monday, October 26, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
Let’s back up in the verse a little bit, as we ought to consider what Jesus first says in John’s Gospel, his first words. His mouth speaks, “What are you seeking?” “What are you seeking?” Really, in stopping and considering it, that question captures to core essence of life for everybody and anyone. “What are you seeking?” Surely, it would be a good conversation starter with the hopes of witnessing the Gospel to them, “What are you seeking?” It’s that basic and fundamental. The answer to this question shows where we are at in life, and what our hope and focus is on. Answering it wrongly, as most of us will, and we can identify that we have a problem. Interestingly, Jesus will answer the question plainly in Matthew’s Gospel, during his famous Sermon on the Mount. Remember? He spoke, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, ESV). God should be included somewhere first in our answer.
John Points His Disciples Toward Jesus (TMF:2990)
Friday, October 23, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
Note John’s persuasive power—his following. The commitment by his disciples to him and what he affirmed is starkly obvious. That’s why the minute he points Jesus out, people take notice. Of those who took notice, one was named Andrew. And who was the other? The other isn’t named, which, we should conclude, as talked about in the introduction last week, that this is undoubtedly John, the one who is writing this book. Nevertheless, both Andrew and John were seeking God, and when John the Baptist told them he’s over there, to look that way, that’s what they did. They left John behind and followed Jesus instead. The first thing that Andrew does is to go and find his brother, who is Peter. The great Peter, the one who will be so pivotal in Jesus’ ministry and, later on, church. One who is still very influential to this day—some 2,000 years later. Andrew told him they have finally found the One they were looking for—the Messiah. The One God had promised would come, back in the Old Testament writings. And Andrew brings him to Jesus.
The Difference of Jesus's Water Baptism (TMF:2989)
Thursday, October 22, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
Nevertheless, longterm, this baptism of the Spirit would include the most important point of all, and that is that God is always with us. God himself indwelling us. Jesus would die on the cross, he would rise, but he would ascend back to Heaven. That’s because of the Jewish people’s rejection of him. So, the Holy Spirit would indwell believers, and does so to this day. Thirdly, now that God is always with his people, we know that the Spirit seals the choice of salvation in those who willingly choose to count on Jesus’ sacrifice for sins, and his rising from the dead. It is as the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians early on: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14, ESV). And that’s the fourth thing, there at the end of the verse, our inheritance.
The Meaning Behind John's Baptism, Part 3 (TMF:2988)
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
The discussion continues for us in regard to water baptism, and the difference is noted between John the Baptist's baptism and the one to be brought about by the Son of God. Just conveyed was the meaning behind John's baptism, and he informs those standing by that Jesus' baptism is different. This variation is presented to us in that John's baptism symbolized the change of the human heart, and the inclusion within the collective body of those fellow like-minded believers. This inward believing resulted in a belonging to a group of fellow believers—a collective group, much like the Nation of Israel had been up to this time. In contrast to this, Jesus' baptism was to go further. Initially, the baptism of the Holy Spirit would include power—power over sickness, power over demonic spirits, and power at times even over death itself. Nevertheless, longterm, this baptism of the Spirit would include the most important point of all, and that is that God is always with us. God himself indwelling us.
The Messiah Deals with Our Sin, Part 2 (TMF:2987)
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
They were looking at the grandiosity, at the king side of things, the fact that a Messiah was coming to establish a physical, earthly kingdom. They wanted to be in on that worldly kingdom. The sin part, the sin part was probably secondary in their minds. It’s much like a teacher today in the Christian realm who presents the positive side, or positive things first. Sin is downplayed, and really not even considered all that important. Each one of us are guilty of this at one point or another. However, we must start with the sin problem, and not forget that at a heavy cost we have been cleansed from our sins. Let us not be like those in the later church of Ephesus, where Jesus expresses, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first” (Revelation 2:4, 5, ESV). As John said, ““Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
The Messiah Deals with Our Sin, Part 1 (TMF:2986)
Monday, October 19, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
The desire was always present for people to be genuinely following him from the heart, and not just going through the motions with external actions. In the appearance of Jesus on the scene for the first time, it is interesting how John refers to him as “the Lamb of God.” The surrounding Jews who were listening would have known in detail regarding lamb sacrifices to cover sin. Indeed, this was a common animal used during that time, and even to times further back as prescribed by God for a covering for sin. The animal sacrifice represented that sin had to be dealt with, yet the animal could only provide a covering for the sin. Unfortunately, it’s likely that all of the people missed that fact. The persons who believed in him, the later disciples, probably didn’t really comprehend initially what was going on. They were looking at the grandiosity, at the king side of things, the fact that a Messiah was coming to establish a physical, earthly kingdom. They wanted to be in on that worldly kingdom. The sin part, the sin part was probably secondary in their minds.