John 1:43-51 - First Disciples, First Sign?

Last time we met Jesus’ first “God•send”: Andrew, who went and told his brother Simon-Peter about Jesus (JTW told Andrew/John, they trusted him, but Jesus said to them, "Come and you will see" - 5 words and they were all in).  

Today we meet Jesus’ 2nd God•send: [43  The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He finds Philip. And Jesus says to him, “Follow Me.”][=walk the same road]  This appears to be Day 4 [cf v44].  In the Gospels, after P/A and J/J, Philip is always mentioned next.  The 5th apostle.  And Philip shows up several times in John’s book.  He is the first one (only one in John?) that Jesus “seeks out” [did He seek Andrew/John? Lk 19.10 - Jesus is always seeking each of us].  But why Philip?  What is it about Philip?  He probably knows Andrew and Peter.  When [the 5000] are hungry, Jesus turns to Philip.  But his biggest mention might be right here [45].  Philip is a God•send, just like Andrew.  Philip brings Nathanael to Jesus.  Philip hits the ground running, pointing people to Jesus.  Why?  “Come and see…” - Philip sees right away that Jesus is so good, so worth it.

Now, what about Nathanael?  We’re not sure who he is.  None of the [other Gospels] mention a Nathanael.  Most think he’s Bartholomew [=son of Tolmai].  But it doesn’t matter, cuz Jesus knows.  HE knows who Nathanael is.  As we’re about to see, Jesus knows everything about Nathanael, even before Philip brings Nathanael to meet Jesus.  And Jesus knows everything about each of us.

The first thing we see about Nathanael is he’s a skeptic. Or perhaps simply a realist.  Philip says the Messiah they’ve found is from Nazareth.  And Nathanael is skeptical that ANY good thing could come out of Nazareth. [46]  For good reason.  Nazareth was generally despised.  Commentators variously mention that it was known for housing a Roman garrison - that’s strike 1.  Some say that the Jews in Nazareth were known for throwing garbage in the streets (forcing the Romans to march through garbage - but thus it was a city of garbage - [slime, filth, putrescence]). Nazareth also had a reputation of being immoral.  But so to call someone a Nazarene was a slam.  So for unbelievers, referring to Christians as the “sect of the Nazarenes” was likely more about disrespect than it was about identity or geography.  A good translation would be, Is it possible for any good thing to be out of Nazareth?  [BTW, Where are you from? What’s your place of origin?  What’s your backstory?  Are you skeptical that the Lord could make something good come from there, from that?]

Nathanael’s comment actually speaks to one of the bigger questions we have in the Gospels.  Matthew mentions that Messiah would be called a Nazarene [Matt. 2:23 …This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”].  But not ONE OT prophet mentions this.  The prophets do give us not a location but a description.  To call someone a Nazarene meant they were to be disrespected, rejected.  Matthew is saying, this is what the prophets [plural] say about Messiah [Is. 53:3  He was despised and forsaken of men.].  Can anything good come out of that forsaken place?  Nazarenes were despised. [still are] [But Philip's words echo: Come and see…!]

So, yeah, Nathanael is a skeptic - but to his credit, he is willing to come and see!  And he IS a spiritual person [47-48].  Where does Jesus see him?  “Under a fig tree”  What do people do under a [fig tree]?  Dodge falling figs?  Well in those days one thing people did under figs trees was to meditate.  But there’s more going on here…  Jesus first says, behold, an Israelite in whom is no guile/deceit.  Okay - for sure, Jesus would certainly know that about a person.  But Nathanael doesn’t know who this Nazarene is, so he’s like, how do you know me?  Literally, from where do you know me?  Have we met?  How would you even know anything about me?

And Jesus is like, before Philip called you, I saw you, you were sitting underneath that fig tree.  Jesus always sees us.  And right out of the gate Jesus has blown Nathanael’s mind.  Whoa.  [49] Look at his response: You ARE the Son of God.  You ARE the King of Israel.  Why such an EXTREME declaration?  Now, maybe someone would respond that way, just by Jesus saying, yeah, I saw you in that place.  But there’s something more amazing going on here.  Jesus begins by saying, behold, check it out - an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.  A son, a descendant of Israel.  UNLIKE Israel/Jacob himself, who started out as a notorious deceiver.  I think Jesus is saying, not only did I see you under that fig tree, meditating - I know what you were meditating on.  You were thinking about Jacob the Deceiver, and about the scene in [Gen. 28:12-14 (Jacob) had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it…].  Jesus uses the same exact phrase in [51], describing this ladder reaching up to heaven.  I think this is why Nathanael is so convinced of Jesus’ identity when Jesus describes him as having no deceit when He saw Nathanael under the fig tree.  Jesus knows what we’re thinking.

Just like the Lord did with Jacob, already Jesus has twice looked at people and looked beyond the surface, beyond their current reality, beyond their mess, beyond their past, and looked at the miracle God made them to be.  At the work of amazing transformation He wants to do in their life thru Christ.  Simon, you are rash and impulsive - but you are going to be like a rock.  Nathanael, you speak your mind - but God is going to take your honesty and make you a true heir of the promises of Israel.  And God wants to work His glorious transformation in us too!  “Seeing” Nathanael I think is the first REAL miracle from Jesus (unless you count the fulfilled prophecy(ies)?).  And THIS miracle turns Nathanael from skeptic [Nazareth?] to believer [Son of God/King of Israel - Ps 2].

1) Jesus says, I see you, I know what you’re thinking, I know what you’re doing.  And wherever you are, I know what you’re going thru.  And you may be wondering, well then why doesn’t He do something about it?  He is.  He is.  But Jesus lives on Heaven Standard Time [clock vs hourglass][patience! 2Pet 3.9].  He is patiently working a greater weight of glory than you and I can even imagine.  [2Cor 4.17]

2) Jesus tells Nathanael, you think THIS is amazing?  Truly, truly, you are gonna see greater things than these.  John in his book gives us 25 double trulys from Jesus.  Verily-verily.  Truths to be believed even tho at first they sound incredible [Greek: Amen, Amen].  Amen is the Hebrew word for truth [Is. 65:16  “Because he who is blessed in the earth will be blessed by the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My sight!][In Hebrew: "God truth" = elohim amen].  This is the first time Jesus drops this "Truth Truth" phrase - [51].  Truth, truth, Nathanael - this is going to sound incredible, but this is SO true, so believe this: you are actually going to see angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.  Jesus is certainly saying, stick with Me and you’re gonna see glory.  But He’s also saying, that [ladder] you were thinking about under that tree, the one that Jacob saw in his dream, even tho he was so deceitful?  Angels ascending and descending?  That stairway to heaven, so to speak?  Nathanael, you’re gonna see angels ascending and descending on ME.  Cuz in truth, I AM the Ladder.  I’m the (stairway)Way to Heaven.  Jacob the deceiver was given a glimpse of Me; I’m his Descendant in Whom all the families of the earth would be blessed.  Now you’ve seen Me in person.  And you’re in for glimpses of greatness…!  Jesus is the Way to Heaven - and the Way to glimpse greater things. This is Who John is showing us - the [Word Who was God], Who is the Life and Light of Men, the Lamb of God Who takes away all our sin, the one and only Son of God.  He is the Ladder - and if we want to see greater things, if we want to see Heaven - we look to Him.

Verses to reference:

2Cor. 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.

Acts 1:13 Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

Matt. 10:2-4  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.

Mark 3:16 And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), 17 and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”); 18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.

Luke 6:14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; 15 and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Summary ordered listings of the Apostles in the Gospels/Acts:

Matthew Mark Luke Acts

Simon Peter Simon Peter Simon Peter Peter

Andrew James bZ Andrew John

James bZ John James James

John Andrew John Andrew

Philip Philip Philip Philip

Bartholomew Bartholomew Bartholomew Thomas

Thomas Matthew Matthew Bartholomew

Matthew Thomas Thomas Matthew

James bA James bA James bA James bA

Thaddeus Thaddeus Simon Z Simon Z

Simon Z Simon Z Judas bJ Judas bJ

Judas I Judas I Judas I Judas I

John 1:38-42 - First Disciple(maker)s

Two guys have begun to follow Jesus.   John the Witness points them to Jesus.  Behold, the Lamb of God.  The Messiah.  The Son of God.  They defect, abandon John entirely and begin following Jesus, Who asks them, what are you seeking? [38]  What do you want?  Jesus’ first recorded words in John’s book.  What ARE you seeking?

They answer, where are You staying?  [39 He says to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.]  This is present tense.  Be coming.  Be constantly coming, coming to see where Jesus is.  It’s open invitation, to join up WITH Him and what He’s doing.  Pretty much He's giving them (and us!) a permanent open door.  There is no interrupting Jesus.  He’s NEVER too busy for us.  NEVER scrolling thru Twitter or Insta… You and I are never an interruption.  Come, and you will see.  Come whenever you’re ready.  Be coming.  Daily bread, remember?  Come right now in fact - what are you waiting for?  Come and you WILL see...

Note what time it is.  John tells us it was the tenth hour when Jesus invited them to come to the place where He was actually staying - we’re not sure where that was - but 10th hour means 4pm.  I.e. it was late in the day, so He basically invited them to stay with Him the rest of the day.  They came, didn’t know where He was staying exactly, probably camped out with Him that night.  Dinner and a sleepover - at the last minute!  You and I can never impose on Jesus.  “Well I don’t want to impose.”  You and I are never an imposition.  He came for you! [Matt. 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.]  C’mon over!  Come and you will see.

[Heb. 11:1  Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.] Come first and THEN you see is not unusual when it comes to faith. [Heb. 11:8  By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.]  Go - I WILL show you when you get there.  What kind of sign or proof had these two seen at this point?  Nada.  All they had was the witness of John the Witness.  

Now, ONE of these first two disciples of Jesus was Andrew.  [40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.]. Andrew is one of the Bar-Jonas brothers [Simon bar-Jonas].  Andrew’s brother Simon-Peter is better known to John’s readers, so John identifies Andrew as Simon-Peter’s brother.  My lovely wife is called Coach Bug by the swim team - and since they know her much better than they know me, they get to calling me "Mr. Bug."  Comes with the territory, right?  Peter's brother.  

What else do we know about Andrew?  Well he really only appears two other times after this - once when some Greeks ask to see Jesus, and then at the feeding of the 5000: Andrew is the one who brings forward the boy with the 5 loaves and the 2 fishes (chapter 6!).  But a few things here:

First, what about the second guy who leaves John the Witness to follow Jesus [40]?  Author John never tells us who he is.  Most commentators suggest that the 2nd guy is actually author John himself.  I agree.  John shows up unnamed in his book repeatedly.

But Andrew should be noted for one thing: [41 He finds first his own brother Simon and says to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).  He brought him to Jesus…] - he went and told his brother Peter, hey, we (John & I) found The Messiah.  What does that tell us about Andrew?  Andrew is a God•send.  He points his brother to Jesus. He is the first disciple-making disciple of Jesus!  In fact, if we each just found one other disciple for Jesus each year, we could actually disciple the whole world in 33yrs!

And these guys are all in as disciple(makers) cuz they’re convinced that they found the Messiah.  How are Andrew (and John) SO persuaded that Jesus is The One?  How much proof do they have?  Not one sign.  And to this point, Jesus has only spoken 5 words (in the Greek).  Andrew and John believed the Witness… John the Witness told what HE knew about Jesus.  He didn’t know everything, he didn’t have all the answers.  He just told what he knew - and that was enough.  He told what he knew, and people believed that.  We are to tell what we know - and that is enough.  Yes we keep learning, but we don’t wait to be a God•send!  Blessed to be a blessing! 

John tells us that Andrew went FIRST and told his brother.  First before John, or first thing?  NOTE: He didn’t even need the Great Commission…!  John’s brother James does begin to follow Jesus, but for some reason John never tells us when or how that happens.  Probably John did go and tell James, brought his brother to Jesus.  Then in Acts James winds up being the first martyr.  He’s the first one who is killed because they’re following Jesus.  Do you think John has any regrets about being the one responsible? [no regrets, Phil 1.22-24]  Probably John - who doesn’t like the limelight - is not likely to want to take credit for going and telling his brother about Jesus.

Now, look what happens when Andrew brings his brother to Jesus: [42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).]  Simon gets a new name!  [The Rock]  What is Jesus saying? 

Simon you are rash and impulsive.  There is a form of strength associated with that - but it’s not under My control.  I am going to take this raw strength I’ve given you and refine it, transform it - into firmness and steadiness.  IF you let Me.  I’m going to make you [like a rock].  Like a piece of [granite].  Someone people can count on/look to.  Simon-now-Peter will in fact become the de-facto leader and spokesperson for the disciples after Jesus ascends back to heaven.  Now we may not all get a new name when we believe in Jesus, but with Jesus, we all get a new heart, a new start [2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.]. 

One thing that stands out for me with Peter is that He will be the one who breaks the race barrier.  He will be the one God uses, the first Jew to bring the Good News to the filthy Gentiles.  Jews were supposed to bless the nations, but they had twisted their religion to where they avoided the nations.  Peter becomes the first cross-cultural missionary! (altho the Lord DID have to twist his arm quite a bit?)  Talk about a God•send!  And talk about being a rock.  He’s the one w “the stones” to cross the street to the other side of the tracks, to go to someone very different.  [Granted God maybe didn’t give him much choice.  But he could have done a Jonah…]

The Lord wants to do something similar with each one of us.  He has given every one of us unique and special gifts.  Strengths.  And apart from Him, apart from His power and guidance, those strengths can be liabilities.  Our strengths tempt us to trust in ourselves.  To be self-sufficient.  They can actually hold us back, get us into trouble.  But in the hands of the Potter, we are molded into something heavenly.  Someone He can use.  [Metamorphosis].  Transformation.  Someone through whom He can display His glory.  His breathtaking goodness.  God’s also given you a story, and like He did for Peter-the-piece-of-the-Rock, He will give you the stones to tell it.  You & I tell what we know, and that will be enough.  The Lord can and will and wants to use your unique God-given story and gifts to show His glory in and thru you in ways that help point people to Jesus - and others through them.  He wants to make us each a disciple-maker!  A God•send.  Like Jesus.  It’s hard work - but not for Jesus!  Will you let Him do that…?

Relevant verses:

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Rev. 2:17 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’

John 1:35-39 - First words: What are you SEEKING?

Last time we caught our first glimpse of Jesus.  And we saw “the Defection”.  John the Witness has been clearing the way for Jesus, pointing people to Jesus.  And on Day 3 of John’s account, he’s with two of his disciples, he points them to Jesus - and they defect.  They leave him, right on the spot!  They leave John and follow Jesus.  Because they understand from John that this Man, this Rabbi/Teacher - He was (is) the [Lamb of God.  Messiah.  The Son of God] Himself.  They believe this, and begin following Jesus instead.

[38]  Here we get Jesus’ very first words [post-temptation]: What are you seeking?  That surely is His question to us this morning.  Easter Sunday.  Why are you here?  What are you seeking?  Seeking = you are trying to find or acquire something.  What are you looking for, hoping to find?  We’re all looking for something.  And not just this morning, but what are you seeking in life?  What is that thing you’ve always wanted?  Maybe you’ve already found it?  Maybe it’s eluded you all your life?  Like a splinter in your mind?

This is one of the great questions in life, isn’t it?  Life being this great journey of [discovery].  We don’t think about this so much when we’re kids.  Life is all about playing and having fun.  We’re like [baby birds].  Our parents/guardians hatch us, (hopefully) bring us [worms] (take care of the bare necessities - and often much more than that, esp in the west).  As we grow up our parents and teachers (hopefully) help us learn to fly.  And (hopefully) we fly out of the nest to make our way in the great wide world.  [Watch out for the cat]!  But off we fly into our own journey of [discovery], of making/finding our way in the world.  A life of seeking.  The question is, what ARE we seeking?  For people, it’s far more than just worms and birdseed and laying eggs…

What does happen as we grow older and embark on this journey of seeking, we learn that life in this world can tend to be disappointing.  When we’re alone, and honest, we have this awareness that life is not all it’s cracked up to be.  It’s [NEVER enough].  The baubles and trinkets we used to love so much as a kid no longer seem to satisfy.  And grown up toys aren’t enough either.  Life is harder than I expected.  Work is hard.  Routine gets old and stale.  And we wind up living for weekends.  And vacations.  But even those don’t fill the abyss in our heart.  They’re simultaneously too short and too long and always too few.  For all our seeking, we find that the finding is wanting.  Never enough.  Peace is elusive.  This may drive us on, or it might deter us, drive us to escape it all.  What do you [seek]?

Jesus tells us that the world eagerly seeks two things: 1) [Matt. 6:26, 31-32 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”].  These are the [bare necessities].  Much of the two thirds world spends much of their time every day trying to find and acquire just these basic needs.  Our daily bread.  The Lord knows that we need these things.  He tells us to look to Him for these - to seek these from His hand, every day.  [Matt. 6:9,11  “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’”] And the Lord gives us this awesome promise: [Phil. 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.].

From a physical standpoint, this ought to be enough.  Daily bread.  For those of us who don’t live at the level of ultra-poverty, we have all we need - but curiously it’s not enough, is it?  Our wish-lists are endless - [Tesla, Sonos, PS5, oreos, degrees, career, romance, kids, money] —> [never enough]  What are you seeking?  Why does Jesus even ask this question?  Think about it: doesn’t He already know the answer?  Doesn’t Jesus know our every thought, every word we speak before we speak it?  So why the question?  What are you seeking?  [Look at their answer]: “Where are you staying?”  They answer with a question.  They are seeking SOME thing.  But could it be that they - like most people - don’t know what they’re seeking?  Or why?  Sure, on the surface maybe these are seeking the Messiah - but WHY?  

[39] Now look at Jesus’ answer to their answer-question: “Come and you will see”.  Come with Me.  Come to Me - and you will not only see where I am, but you will see what you are seeking.  Cuz even though you may not fully realize it yet, you ARE seeking Me. 

What ARE we seeking?  That surely is something we need to figure out - and the answer SHOULD drive us to Jesus.  Cuz WHATEVER we’re seeking, it’ll be found in Him.  [Col. 2:3 in [Him] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.][Lam. 3:25  The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.][Matt. 6:32-33 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”] [Heb. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.][Matt. 7:7-8  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”]  Come - and see…

[Mt. 11:28-29  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.]  That is what we’re all looking for: soul rest.  But come and see is no simple undertaking [Mt. 16:24  Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.].  Come and see means, we’re all in [Mark 10:21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”]  Come and see means we need to make a decisive choice.  Intentionality [Rom. 12:1   Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.].  And come and see means every day.  Jesus literally says, be coming.  It’s present tense.  This is ongoing.  Every day.  Be coming.

Some are disinclined to come and see. [Jer. 6:16  Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’]  Some are unwilling to come and see.  [Matt. 22:3 “And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.]  John has already told us, the world did not know him.  Even His own did not receive Him.  There are various reasons for that.  But Jesus tells us 2x there IS one other specific thing that the world eagerly seeks.  The world also eagerly seeks for a sign [Matt. 16.4 “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign…”].  Some miracle, some kind of proof that Jesus is Who He says He is.  That Jesus IS the One for Whom we are all seeking.

Well, how about a [Resurrection]?  How ‘bout you totally reject Me, you KILL Me, and I’ll rise from the dead on the third day?  How about that for a sign? [the tomb is empty.  Still empty - it changed everything…!]  The resurrection is The Sign for which the world is eagerly seeking…

What are YOU seeking?  Why do you seek for life among that which is dead/dying? [Jn 11.25 “I am the Resurrection and the Life.  Whoever believes in Me will live, even if he dies.”]  Come, and you will see.  Come to Jesus this morning - and keep coming back to Him, every day.

Words from others who have sought:

Neil Armstrong, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." (moon landing)

Alexander Graham Bell, "Mr Watson--Come here--I want to see you." (first words spoken over a telephone)

William Clark, "Ocean in view! O! the joy!" (written in his diary the day he and Lewis reached the Pacific)

Reginald Fessenden, 

Famous first words:

The first words ever spoken on the radio were from Luke 2:14,” Glory to God in the highest on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

"I am an invisible man."— Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man (1952)

“Where’s Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.— E. B. White, Charlotte’s Web (1952)

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” From Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

"This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it.” From The Princess Bride by William Goldman

"If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book. In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle.” From The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” From 1984 by George Orwell

"Call me Ishmael." - Moby-Dick, Herman Melville (1851)

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." - A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens (1859)