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Unity Sunday 2009 - Philip found Nathanael
SERMON – 10.15am, Emmanuel Church, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Sunday 17th January 2009
Revd. Canon David Pickering
John 1: 45 Philip found Nathanael
This morning sees meeting of whole range of people.
In our gospel reading we meet Philip and Nathanael; two of the early disciples about who very little is known. More about them later
Also this morning, although Christine and I were here about a month ago, this is our first official visit as I come to share in your ministry here as the temporary, locum, interim priest.
You can choose whatever title you like because I'm only temporary until your new priest in charge arrives, hopefully in a few months time.
As I have now enjoyed over two years retirement from full-time parochial ministry I am very much a stand in locum. And it is interim role, because hopefully the wheels are beginning to move with regard to appointing Matt's successor.
(Speaking of Matt, I am sure we're all praying for him, not just giving thanks for his fruitful ministry here, but praying for him as a he prepares for his future ministry at Bury-St- Edmunds. And by the way it was partly Matt's idea that I should be here with you over the coming months.)
That's enough about me, David, for the moment, what about Philip and Nathanael, and especially Nathanael as he seems to be the central character in today's gospel reading?
Let's see how well we know these two names. Is there a Philip here? Who knows a Philip? It is a fairly common name.
But what of Nathanael?
Is there one in our congregation at Emmanuel? Who knows a Nathanael? Does anyone remember Nat Lofthouse?
Nathanael may be an unusual name, but here in St John's gospel he is an interesting character.
We have to remember that with the Fourth Evangelist, no one has a bit walk-on part.
For John, Nathanael is significant to the Gospel message and so has something to give to all of us.
First of all Nathanael only crops up in two places.
Here at the very beginning of John's gospel, then again towards the end in the final chapter among the post resurrection appearances.
John 21.1&2 After these things Jesus showed himself gain to the disciples by the sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, I'm going fishing.
And we probably remember the rest of the story of how they caught nothing until Jesus suggested casting their nets on the other side.
Then when we look at the list of the twelve in all the gospels there is no mention of a Nathanael.
Some have tried to identify him with Bartholomew, as he comes next to Philip in the various lists.
I must admit I did this quite freely when I was Rector of St Bartholomew's Whittington in Chesterfield in the Derby diocese. But there is no clear evidence for any real connection between Nathanael and Bartholomew.
But what this almost total anonymity of Nathanael teaches us that we don't have to make a name for ourselves to be a follower of Christ, and to fulfil the will of God in our lives.
In many ways we are called to be anonymous Christians, worshipping and serving God in the ordinary things of our daily lives. The good news of the Christian gospel is primarily proclaimed and realised in the way ordinary Christians live out the events and concerns of their day to day lives.
We can perhaps see this a little more clearly when we look at the name, Nathanael, which means either gift of God or God gives.
We are each a gift of God to the people and places in which we find ourselves each day.
And those around us are a gift of God to us.
When Nathanael showed scepticism about anyone of note coming from the backwater village of Nazareth, Phillip simply told him to come and see.
When we think of our own lives, yes our very ordinary lives, we need to ask can others see the image of God in us, the pattern of Jesus.
How much do the things we do everyday reflect our Christian faith and commitment? Can people come and see Jesus in us?
Finally, what of the strange words of Jesus at the end of the passage, Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
For this morning the details don't matter except to note that in the original Greek of John the words for you in this verse are in the plural. So Jesus is not just speaking to Nathanael, but to everyone, including ourselves.
When we do try to live out the love of God, the goodness of God, the peace and justice of God in the ordinary events of our daily lives, then we will begin to have a glimpse of heaven on earth.
Our prayer, your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, will begin to be realised.
As a post script some may be asking, I thought today was Unity Sunday?
What's this got to do with Christian Unity?
Yes, today is the beginning of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
And what units all Christians, despite their denominations, differences and traditions, is their common witness to the goodness and love of God in the world around us.
Many things may divide us, but as we face the same situations and challenges as our sisters and brothers in the faith, we can show that we our united in seeking to fulfil God's on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen
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