Essays
I Saw You
“I SAW YOU!”
Something happens in the calling of Nathanael that is quite revealing. We don’t know a whole lot about Nathanael (aka, Bartholomew). The writers of synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, all record his name in their listings of the Twelve Apostles, but only John's gospel provides some additional biographical insights. Philip announced to Nathanael, We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth… (Jn.1:43). Nathanael’s response, although candid, was noteworthy for its negativity. He said back to Philip, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? (Jn.1:46). Apparently he’d bought into a common sentiment held by many of his Jewish contemporaries (cf. Jn.7:41 & 52). Philip urged him to “COME AND SEE" and his willingness to heed Philip's invitation to meet this “Man from Nazareth" altered his life forever.
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, he declared, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile (Jn.1:47) - - not a bad compliment for a man who seemed skeptical at best. Rather than accept His praise without debate, Nathanael opened his mouth and shot back, How do You know me? (Jn.1:48a), to which Jesus retorted, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you (Jn.1:48b). What comes next in the text is quite riveting. Nathanael immediately loses his cockiness and promptly professes: Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel (Jn.1:49). In pondering this unexpected turn of events we must rule out that before Philip invited him Jesus had simply spotted Nathanael in the distance sitting under a tree. WOULD SUCH A SCENARIO EVOKE SUCH A GRAND CONFESSION? There is something much deeper here. This phrase, under the fig tree, was a Hebraic idiom for being “in prayer and deep reflection". cf. Zech.3:10 and Mic.4:4. It wasn’t just that Jesus had observed him nearby a few moments earlier, but rather that the all-knowing Jesus divulged a very intimate incident that no others would have witnessed. What Nathanael experienced that day was similar to what happened to the Samaritan woman at the well. After encountering Jesus she promptly went about testifying of Him: He told me all the things that I have done (Jn.4:39). Once the Jewish leaders dispatched officers to find and seize Jesus (Jn.7:32). When they returned empty-handed, the soldiers were rebuked, “Why did you not bring Him?" Their response? Never did a man speak the way this man speaks (Jn.7:46). MAY GOD GIVE US EYES TO SEE HIM!
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ
