25 October 2026
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.