It’s Better To Point TWO

 

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 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!” John 1:47-49 (ESV)

 

So Philip bumps into Nathaniel after Jesus selected him to “Follow Me” and pretty much encourages Nathaniel to “Come and see.”  Now it is safe to say that Nathaniel was a man versed in the law, and the prophets, and he would at once known to whom Philip meant: for Moses, in the Pentateuch, the five books written by him, frequently speaks of the Messiah, but a guy claiming to be “Messiah” from Nazareth…again? Yeah there is room for doubt as explained in my last Freedom Fighter. So what convinces Nathaniel that Jesus is who He says He is?

 

I like what Matthew Henry says about examining this, “The best way to remove false notions of religion is to make trial of it.” Now how does that fit here you ask…”Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Now in other translations the word deceit is guile and that word basically means fish bait. So, like Nathaniel, I would wonder how a total stranger knew me well enough to make such a compliment. I think Nathaniel was just getting himself poised to question this “Messiah” when Jesus shares how He saw him under a fig tree.

 

You know at this time period (maybe still is today) to be recognized as a true Israelite without any deceit, disguise or slight hint of stripper bait was the highest compliment a Jew could get. Plus Nathaniel is seen by the Savior under a fig tree. A place of security (Micah 4:4), a place of meditation where the leaves of the fig tree would provide shade and a place of most intimate fellowship with God. Once Jesus tells Nathaniel he was seen under the fig tree, Nathaniel has to make his confession of the divinity of Christ as well as His authority in his life.

 

So what about you? Has a Philip come up to you and said “Come and see” pointed to the signpost that points to Jesus Christ? Do you recognize what that signpost even is?

 

Do you know the old rugged Cross? Through it all Christ knows what men are. Let us desire to know him. Let us seek and pray to be like Nathaniel, in whom there was no guile; truly Christian approved of Christ himself. There are some things that are weak, imperfect, and sinful found in all, but hypocrisy should not be part of a believer’s character.

 

 

To quote Matthew Henry’s observation on this…”Jesus witnessed what passed when Nathanael was under the fig-tree. Probably he was then in fervent prayer, seeking direction as to the Hope and Consolation of Israel, where no human eye observed him. This showed him that our Lord knew the secrets of his heart. Through Christ we commune with, and benefit by the holy angels; and things in heaven and things on earth are reconciled and united together.” This morning, I am praising Him that He put many pointers on my path. That through the ministry of reconciliation I too can say to a dark, lost generation “Come and see” and point to the sign post that is the Cross of Jesus Christ. I hope you are sharing this praise with me today…Amen? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a regular Freedom Fighter blogger

 

Team YOU: Jeremiah 43-45; Proverbs 8; Hebrews 5

 

Motivations: “God knows our weakness’s and adjusts to them”—John Calvin

 

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:6; Level 2: James 3:1-6

 

Powered Up:  Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. A. W. Tozer