Nathaniel was prejudiced. He had a dislike for the town of Nazareth and had a preconceived notion that anyone who called Nazareth home would be a loser. We do not know the source of his prejudice. Perhaps it was a personal experience with someone, or perhaps he was influenced by family or friends who were also prejudiced against Nazareth and Nazarenes. I’m not surprised by this because I am convinced it is normal for people to have preconceived notions that shape their interactions with others. Unfortunately, while sometimes these prejudices prevent them from being harmed or deceived, more often, it prevents them from experiencing a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with others.

For a Frenchman living in occupied France during World War II, having a prejudice against German soldiers would have been a wise thing. That is not to say that there were not German soldiers that may have been good people, but because of the situation it would have been foolish to have blindly trusted one of them. However, most of us do not live in those types of situations and our prejudices are less often beneficial and more often hindrances to righteous living.

Nathaniel could have allowed his prejudice to prevent him from going to meet Jesus, but he was willing to consider the possibility that his prejudices where misinformed and misguided. Therefore he went with Philip hoping to be pleasantly surprised, but not expecting it. Jesus did surprise him; Jesus impressed him and overcame his prejudice.

Today, many people who do not know Jesus have a prejudice against him. Some prejudices have been created by the actions of people claiming to represent Christ. Other prejudices have been taught by those who are spiritually blind or by the morally wicked. In their prejudice, some have become convinced that God cannot and does not exist. They will not even consider the possibility of reaching out to meet Jesus. Prejudices prevent the most meaningful relationship humanity can ever experience. The tyranny of prejudice keeps them from meeting Jesus.