Discernment: To See

Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to 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.”
John 1:48-49
 
The first time Nathanael met Jesus, Jesus acted like He knew him.  He described Nathanael as a good man, one in which there was no deceit.  This was a surprise to Nathanael because the two had never met.  That is what led to this exchange between them and when Nathanael learned that God was very aware of him, who he was, and what he was going through.

Sitting under a fig tree was probably not all that uncommon in those days.  Don’t you like to sit in the shade too?  But, the way Jesus said it leads us to believe that He was talking about a specific moment, one that was apparently deeply personal to Nathanael, and he picked up on that right away.  This moment that Jesus referred to was a secret no one else knew about.  Jesus didn’t put his private information on display, He just said enough to get Nathanael’s attention.

Nathanael immediately recognized this moment for what it was and recognized Jesus for who He was.  He didn’t try to explain anything away or run and hide.  He allowed himself to be seen by Jesus.  Jesus then assured him that he would see even greater things.  It is amazing to me that once we allow Jesus to see us, fully see us, and we accept that and Him, how our eyes can be opened to the good things God has for us.

​I want you to know that God sees you today.  He sees the “fig tree” you are sitting under.  He knows what no one else does and isn’t judging you for it, but is ready to comfort and redeem you from it.  Accept that reality, accept Him today, and look for the good God has for you.
 
Pastor Matt