Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me? Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” John 1:45–51
What a remarkable change takes place in Nathanael after just a brief conversation with Jesus! In a few short moments he is transformed from a doubter and a skeptic to a man of faith. What is it in the words Jesus speaks to Nathanael that has the power to create such a transformation in this man?
Earlier in the first chapter of John’s gospel we have the story of Jesus calling his first disciples, Andrew and his brother Simon Peter, and Philip. When Philip first comes to his friend Nathanael with the exciting news that he and the others have found the promised Messiah, and he is Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael responds very much as many of us probably would. The gist of his honest reaction is, “You expect me to believe the Messiah comes from a podunk little town like Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding!” But Philip says, “Come and see for yourself, and then decide."
Earlier in the first chapter of John’s gospel we have the story of Jesus calling his first disciples, Andrew and his brother Simon Peter, and Philip. When Philip first comes to his friend Nathanael with the exciting news that he and the others have found the promised Messiah, and he is Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael responds very much as many of us probably would. The gist of his honest reaction is, “You expect me to believe the Messiah comes from a podunk little town like Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding!” But Philip says, “Come and see for yourself, and then decide."
As Jesus sees Nathanael coming toward him he has a very unusual greeting for him considering they have never met before. Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” This may have been a common reference at the time to an honest Jew. Jacob, who God renamed Israel, was a man of trickery and guile. Therefore, an Ísraelite in whom is no guile would be an honest man indeed.
Jesus knows the essence of Nathanael’s approach to life before he even has met him. He knows that Nathanael is honest, forthright, says what he thinks, and that he is seeking the truth. Again Nathanael responds immediately and honestly, “How do you know me? You’ve never met me before now, Jesus. How do you know what I am like?” It was possible that the other disciples had filled Jesus in on Nathanael, that he had his information from them. But Jesus makes it clear to Nathanael, that it is not second–hand information that he has.
Jesus knows Nathanael because he “saw” him before he ever had his conversation with Philip. He saw Nathanael, knew him and was calling him to himself, even before Nathanael had heard of Jesus. It is this deep knowing of him, which Nathanael recognizes as coming from God, which transforms his doubts into faith. It is a knowing that loves him, and is calling him into relationship.
Only God could know him like this, could know his longing for the true Messiah and his fear of being misled. This man Jesus, standing before him, knew his deepest yearnings. In being known to his depths, he was suddenly able to recognize who Jesus truly was. In being known Nathanael’s eyes were opened not only to see God revealed to him through Jesus, but he also knew himself as one under the Lordship of Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Israel! Jesus answers Nathanael’s words of faith with a promise that his faith would allow him to see even more wonderful visions of God revealed to him. Jesus refers again to the first Israelite, Jacob himself, who saw the ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it. Jesus is the Son of man, the Son of God, the Ladder who opens for us the way to a restored relationship with God. This is the truth that Nathanael will someday more fully understand.
Like Nathanael, we too come to deepening faith as we discover that we are known by God. God knows our deepest longings, knows us as we truly are, the gift that we are made to be to others. Jesus loves us thoroughly and calls us into relationship with him so that we might more fully know and love him, and more fully know and love ourselves.
Take time to quiet yourself before God. Then read the scripture passage over again slowly. Imagine yourself in the scene with Jesus and Nathanael. You see Nathanael and Philip walking toward Jesus and you hear Jesus’ greeting of Nathanael. You watch their faces as they speak to each other. Now Jesus turns to you and his eyes meet yours. “How do you know me, Jesus?” you ask. What does Jesus say to you? How do you feel about his words to you? Tell Jesus how you feel. When your prayer is finished, describe in a prayer journal what happened in your prayer.