But the coming Person tliey all saw afar oft*, and on whom they all fixed their eyes, was one and the same. The Spirit, which was in them, testified of Christ. (1 Pet.
i. 11.)
Do we stumble at this saying ? Do we find it hard to see Christ in the Old Testament, because we do not see His name ? Let us be sure that the fault is all our own. It is our spiritual vision which is to blame, and not the book. The eyei of our understanding need to be enlight- ened. The veil has yet to be taken away. Let us pray for a more humble, childlike, and teachable spirit, and let us take up "Moses and the prophets" again. Christ is there, though our eyes may not yet have seen Him. May we never rest till we can subscribe to our Lord's words about the Old Testament Scriptures, "They are they which testify of me." (John v. 39.)
Let us observe, thirdly, in these verses, the good advice which Philip gave to Nathanael. The mind of Nathanael was full of doubts about the Saviour, of whom Philip told Him. " Can there any good thing," he said, " come out of Nazareth ?" And what did Philip reply ? He said, " Come and see."
Wiser counsel than this it would be impossible to con- ceive ! If Philip had reproved Nathanael's unbelief, he might have driven him back for many a day, and given offence. If he had reasoned with him, he might have failed to convince him, or might have confirmed him in his doubts. But by inviting him to prove the matter for him- self, he showed his entire confidence in the truth of his own assertion, and his willingness to have it tested and proved. And the result shows the wisdom of Philip's words. Nathanael owed his early acquaintance with Christ to that frank invitation, " Come and see."
If we call ourselves true Christians, let us never be afraid to deal with people about their souls as Philip dealt