In the Beginning: The Book of John

((John 1:43-51 [HCSB])

43 The next day He decided to leave for Galilee. Jesus found Philip and told him, “Follow Me! ”

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth! ”

46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? ” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered.

47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said about him, “Here is a true Israelite; no deceit is in him.”

48 “How do you know me? ” Nathanael asked. “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.

49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! ”

50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe only because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then He said, “ I assure you: You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Can anything good come out of ( )?

It intrigues me that Jesus was not put off by Nathanael’s comment, which was undoubtedly a form of local prejudice. Instead, Jesus was refreshed by someone “calling it as he saw it,” not hiding behind pretense, office or protocol. This approach can be used for all truth seekers, realizing everyone comes from a small town. Being inquisitive and humble in the name of Jesus is the beginning of wisdom, I believe.

This is why Jesus said, “Here is a true Israelite; no deceit is in him.” Are we true to our Godly nature, and is there no deceit in us? Are we true to our Lord; do we share our unbridled passion as followers of Jesus Christ? Will you drop everything and follow Him?

Deceit means a trick or falseness. We must always be aware that deceit itself is a subtle signal that we are already honoring darkness, and not the light. We must be at all times repentant, free of unholiness, free of trickery, and bent in the direction of the cross. We must know that God knows our hearts, deceit and all.

Jesus not only physically saw Nathanael, but spiritually “saw” him in the way God knew each of us before we were knitted in the womb …

In the same way Peter said “You are the Messiah the Son of the living God!” in Matthew 16:16, Nathanael affirms “You are the Son of God.” John’s mission is to leave us absolutely no doubt as to the true identity of Jesus. The story of Philip and Nathanael is a perfect example of this narrative at work. And for his belief, our protagonist is rewarded. He will see greater things.

Note 1: the customary practice was a disciple taking the initiative, not the rabbi.

Note 2: the expression “the Law and the Prophets” was a common reference to the Old Testament in its entirety.