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John 1:43-46 NLT
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, 
"Come, follow me."
Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown. 
Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael.
"Can anything good come from Nazareth?'

"Come and see for yourself," Philip replied.
John 1:43-46 NLT

Nathanael was from Bethsaida.
Jesus was from Nazareth.
Somehow in Nathanael's story anyone from Nazareth got a label, and Jesus was from "there" so he is one of "them".
Them.
Less than.
Not worthy.
What happened at Bondi Beach with the killing of Jewish people simply getting together to celebrate starts with a "them". 
A label.
Less than.
Not worthy.
The world Jesus stepped into was full of fear, hatred, labels.
And he stepped in anyway.
Philip's invitation is one that we can take up when we're offered a label instead of a person:
"Come and see for yourself"
The redemptive story is everywhere...come and see for yourself...it's invitational, even in the face of horror and evil.
"Come and see for yourself"
Love starts just like Philip did, by standing against the label. 
There is no them.
Just us. 
#advent
#Christmas 
#redemptivestrands

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