"And the Word [which was with God and was God] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-14)
We begin with Jesus going forth into Galilee, and upon finding Philip, saith unto him, "Follow Me." Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip finds Nathanael, and saith unto him, "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
And Nathanael said unto him, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Knowing that only one response would satisfy Nathanael, Philip said unto him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, He said to him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael saith unto him, "Whence knowest Thou me?" Jesus answered and said unto him, "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believe thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these." And He saith unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (John 1:43-51)
From this account, what do we know? First, Nathaniel was of Bethsaida, the same city of Andrew and Peter. Nathanael was well versed in ancient scripture. He knew the content of the law, and the prophecies of the prophets of afore too. When Philip found Nathanael, he incited his curiosity about the One -- the "Him" whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, both wrote. His reply to Philip quite telling. That is, "can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46)
To which Philip invited him to "come and see."
Come and see the promised Messiah, the prophesied King of kings, the Christ who was spoken of for so many generations before. Come and see the goodness of the Lord.
I imagine the scene was similar to the just and devout man in Jerusalem (whose name was Simeon) waiting for the consolation of Israel, of whom the Holy Ghost said he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. I can only imagine his anticipation for that awaited moment. And, when he finally saw the child in the temple, he took Him in his arms, and blessed God and said, "Lord, now let thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel." (Luke 2:25-32)
"Come and see ..." Philip whispered to Nathanael. Come and meet the Master, the Messiah, the Lord's Christ.
Did Nathanael doubt Philip's invitation? Did Nathanael look for an excuse not to draw nigh to the Saviour, of whom Nathaniel would have studied about in the scriptures? No, instead, Nathanael dropped everything to see this Jesus. And when Jesus saw him coming toward Him, He said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" (John 1:47)
(As an aside, according to the dictionary, the word guile means sly or cunning intelligence, craftiness, or deviousness. Psalm 32:1-2 offers a scriptural perspective -- "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputes not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile").
Some theologians suggest that the idea of the promised Saviour coming from Nazareth could have served as a stumbling block for Nathanael. As we learn, it did not. Nathanael positively responded to Philip's invitation to come and see Jesus -- which stands as an indication of his singleness and devotion of heart. It is equally obvious that Jesus was confirming Nathanael's heart also.
So, Nathanael asks Jesus, "Whence know Thou me?" (John 1:48) How do you know me, Lord? he asks. Jesus replied, saying, "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." (John 1:48)
Note that Jesus did not have to say this twice. Nathanael understood what Jesus was saying to him the very first time. He knew that here was the Lord who knew the innermost thoughts of the heart, and that He already knew Nathanael -- from the times of refreshing when Nathanael sat under the fig tree communing with the Lord.
To which he praised Jesus, saying, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God. Thou art the King of Israel." (John 1:49)
In essence, John's inclusion of Nathanael confirms what John had already been saying in his writing of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, Jesus is the Word that was with God and was God. (John 1:1-18) That all things were made by Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3) Jesus was the true Light which lights every man that comes into the world. (John 1:9) And, that this same Jesus who was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not, was come to save His people from their sin. (John 1:10-11; Matthew 1:21-23)
As John the baptist declared upon seeing Jesus, "This is He of whom I said, "After me comes a man which is preferred before me; for He was before me." And I knew Him not but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." (John 1:30-32)
Jesus -- the One who baptizes with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33) Moreover, the Christ confirmed by John the baptist who said, "Behold, the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world. " (John 1:26-29)
As we can see, the true identity of Jesus being revealed in every line of the scriptures. Not only as the "only begotten Son" but as the Father who loved us enough to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice on a cross. We know this because of Jesus own words later on when He said, "I and My Father are One." (John 10:30)
And this same very same Christ was bidding Nathanael to come and follow Him. Not just by the fig tree but in the day to day -- the every day. Even more important to Nathanael because the fig tree was oft referenced in scripture as a place whereby the Rabbis would study the old testament writings. It held special meaning, and Jesus knew so. It is no wonder Nathanael said, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel." (John 1:49)
Like John the baptist who himself said he had seen and testified that Jesus was the Son of God, Nathanael also understood who Jesus was. (John 1:34) But not just the promised Son of God, but, as well, the King of Israel. The One and Only King of kings and Lord of lords. And, as such, Nathanael willingly and without hesitation became one of Jesus' disciples.
When Jesus saw Nathanael's heart, He said unto him, "Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these ... Verily, verily, I say unto you, "Hereafter, ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (John 1:50-51)
Very truly I say unto you, Jesus is telling Nathanael, let me open the heavens for you and invite you to the most elaborate wedding feast of all time!
Thus, like Nathanael, we need to realize the higher destiny our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ has for His people. That is, Jesus wants to open the heavens for us too, and reveal unto us His Kingdom. His love. His mercy. His goodness. All we have to do is pick up our cross and follow Jesus -- the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.
Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords.
And Jesus -- the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star has invited us to come and dine with Him. Stand in the offering plate.
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