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The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ (John 1:43)
Dear Friend, you don't need my permission to jump up and down and celebrate Fridays! So, go ahead! I pray this is a blessed day for you and yours. May the word of the Lord uplift your day and weekend!
Imagine being the first one to hear from our Lord, "Follow me." That honor belongs to Philip. His name is found in all four gospels, but it is the Fourth Gospel, John, that tells us a little bit about this disciple. The honor of hearing those words was a blessing doubled when Philip said yes to Jesus.
We should know that there are two Philips in the Bible. The disciple who we are studying, and the one whom we meet in Acts. The one in Acts was a Deacon and a successful missionary for the Lord. But, he is not the one whom we see in Acts 8; that's the missionary. Sadly, the Bible tells us more about Philip the missionary than Philip the disciple; but we will explore his life and what he brought to the Kingdom of God.
He was from Bethsaida, and he was a homeboy to Peter and Andrew, and more than likely was, like them, a fisherman. Besides being the first to hear "Follow Me" from Jesus, we know these four things about him from the Gospel of John: 1) His first action was to bring Nathanael to Jesus. Philip goes to Nate and tells him all about the Lord. It was Nate who asked if anything good could come from Nazareth. Philip doesn't argue with him, simply says, "Come and see." (John 1:45-46). This action tells us that Philip had an evangelistic zeal; from meeting Christ he learned all he needed to know about Him and wanted to tell others about Him. Nate becomes the first. Philip also had the right approach to dealing with skeptics - don't argue just say, "come and see" for yourself. Skeptics usually want to experience for themselves that which one tries to share with them. 2). We find Philip next at the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus has asked Philip the question, "Where can we find bread, that these people may eat?" Philip replies, Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ It has been suggested that Philip may have been the quartermaster of the disciples' band. It would fall to him to find food and supplies for their needs, and so Jesus spoke to them about the need of the five thousand. His quick answer shows that Philip had been already thinking and evaluating the situation and how best to address it. The Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels tells us that in Palestine one denarius normally bought twelve wheaten or thirty-six barley "loaves," a span in diameter and about an inch and a half thick. To have bought that with that amount of money even if they had it, would have only provided a bite for each person present. Philip had a warm heart but a pessimistic head; like many, who would love to do something good for someone else, but do not see how it could possibly be done. Cavour has said that the supreme essential of a statesman was "a sense of the possible." Philip had not yet reached the point of knowing that with Christ even a little is much, and that with God all things are possible.
3). As Jesus' days on earth are coming to an end we see Philip greeting some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem, and the approach Philip with a request to see Jesus. They may have thought Philip, with a typical Greek name would identify with them. Philip goes to Andrew and tells him; and on Ethen did Andrew and Philip bring the Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20-22).
4). Philip's last appearance is in the Upper Room, where Jesus is talking about the Father and Philip, still not yet strong in his faith asks Jesus to show him the Father. Yet, if nothing else, we see in Philip the confidence to approach Jesus with his problems with neither fear nor shame. We can learn from that.
We have a legend, among many others, of Philip after his NT days. The most common is how he came to die. He came to Hierapolis and found the people worshipping a giant snake. Philip arrives there with Bartholomew and with his sister, Mariamne, who had taken a vow of virginity and sought to serve the Lord alongside her brother. Philip preaches and is successful in converting many. This, however, angers the proconsul, who orders Philip arrested. He is stripped, pierced in the ankles and ankles and thighs and hung upside down. Philip does not want this sort of treatment and orders the ground to swallow up those around him, and the ground swallows seven thousand people. Jesus then appears and rebukes Philip for his anger and action, and restores to life those whom had been killed in the ground swallowing. It was then that Philip confessed his sin and died upside down. His last request was that he not be buried in linen as was the custom, but in papyrus, for he was not worthy to be buried like Jesus. That request is granted, and as soon as his body is in the ground the heavens open up and a voice declares that Philip had received his crown. So we can say that Philip was faithful even unto death.
PRAYER: Loving God grant us stronger faith to be faithful and fruitful. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed weekend! Show your faith in Christ to many as often as you can!
Eradio Valverde
