John 1:46
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
The fugitive
He was a fugitive, a man living in fear. He was running from an insecure leader. A leader who not only had the army to kill him but also wipe his family out of existence. In such a situation you would want to gather a strong army to have a fighting chance. A chance to fight back.
He would later evacuate his family to a neighbouring territory and gather an army of 400 men. Finally, he had a group of courageous, well-trained, gallant men by his side, or did he? As it would turn out this group of men was in distress, in debt, discontented and derelict. His options at this time were limited, so he had no choice but to work with what was on offer.
A History of Being Looked Down Upon
Let us go back to before the fugitive was on the run. He was living a normal life tending to his father's sheep. His family would receive a special guest, while he was away. The festivities would continue without him. He was forgotten as the rest received the pleasure and blessing of the guest. Luckily the guest had come because of the fugitive. In fact, nothing would continue until the forgotten son was brought from the fields. His life would never be the same again.
The 400 men
The 400 were derelicts and malcontents. This was not a group that brought confidence to anyone's heart. But this did not stop them from rescuing a territory overrun by an attacking force. This fame would increase their numbers to 600 men. The fugitive was showing his competence as a leader. I can only imagine the struggle of lifting the spirits of men who had been broken by the pitfalls of this world. Turning something that most would consider unusable into a respectable army.
His leadership would be tested when their camp was raided and looted. While away on a mission their enemies had attacked taking everything, including their wives and children. They wept bitterly, everything was lost. Usually, when things go south, the leader is put on the spot. To add to his difficulties as a fugitive now his own men would turn against him, they wanted to kill him.
In this tough moment, he would make the sober decision to seek God's guidance. With his army, he would eventually hunt down the looters and got everything they had lost back in addition to everything their enemies had left behind.
David the King
The fugitive would later be a great King going on to win many great battles. Messiah, the Hebrew name for Christ, literally means "anointed one." David was called the Lord's anointed. From being looked down upon to having such a major title and a major contribution on earth.
John 1:46
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
Jesus Christ is the most unique personality to walk on this earth. He was fully man and fully God. This greatness did not come from where He was from or what the background of His family was rather His association with God.
Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Not your background or circumstance. The choice to associate with God is what gives us hope, is what turns the rejected 400 men into a great army, and a fugitive into a king. What have you chosen your heart to be associated with? Can anything good come from there?
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