John 1:43,45-51 NKJV ~ “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” [45] 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.” [46] And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” [47] Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” [48] 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.” [49] Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” [50] Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” [51] And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
In your day-to-day hustle and bustle it can be easy to overlook the extraordinary and think it’s the ordinary, when it’s not! Look at Nathanael and how Jesus turned this ordinary moment into an extraordinary setup for a divine encounter! Nathanael was skeptical about Jesus! Have you ever been unsure of Jesus? Sometimes it’s hard to see Jesus in the midst of your busy lives, and then other times, His Presence is crystal clear, and you can’t miss it! But guess what, He sees you all the time!
Nathanael found himself up close and personal with Jesus of Nazareth, in a face-to-face moment, and the reality of who Jesus truly was, the Son of God, and the King of kings was right in his face! He asked Jesus, How do You know me? And Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Jesus knows where you are at all times, so whether you are at home, the doctors, the airport, the beach or sitting under a shade tree, He knows!
Nathanael was a skeptic. He was probably just like you, one who organized everything, mentally and physically. You know your type. You say that there is a place for everything, and everything in its place. Nathanael was not going to be taken in by emotions or hype. He wanted to step back and studied the situation before making a decision. His friend Philip knew better than to try and sell him on anything, for Nathanael wanted to know can any good thing come out of Nazareth? His friend knew that he needed to see for himself! This is the kind of friend you need, one that will lead you to Jesus!
Nathanael asked Jesus, “how do you know me?” When Jesus replied the encounter began and the tables turned! Jesus knows! And you need to know that you know that He knows everything about you and every step that you make! This truth took place under the shade of an ordinary fig tree. Nothing fancy, but that spot became his everything! What does your perception of Jesus Christ really look like versus someone else? what do you really see when you look at Jesus Christ? All Phillip said was, come and see for yourself! Sometimes you have to go for yourself, it’s in this moment that your life can change.
Nathanael’s story shows you just how God works outside your expectations and what you actually perceive to what you really see! God invited him to meet with Him in his everyday places of living. The invitation from Philip, to come and see, was nothing compared to what Jesus did. This “Come and See” went beyond the normal into an encounter with Jesus! What were you doing when Jesus called you?
When Jesus calls you and tells you where you are at in life, will you believe in Him then! Who else knows all of your in’s and out’s besides Jesus! But our Jesus is so good, He doesn’t just stop there, He tells you because of this you will see even greater things! As you go about your day, today, remember that each one of your moments that you have been allowed hold the potential for a divine encounter with Jesus, He sees exactly where you are sitting or standing and He’s calling you to come!
It doesn’t matter if you are at work, at home, or in the marketplace, Jesus is present and is actively seeking to get acquainted with you and to have a relationship with you. Let Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus transform you and inspire you to seek Jesus with an open heart and mind and be ready to be amazed by how He will reveal Himself to you. Look for God in every situation whether big or small, look for Him.
When you walk down the street, look for the beautiful things He has made, look up and look all around and see Him in everything and everywhere you go! When you are with your friends or family, thank Him for putting them in your life. Notice Him in the small moments of life especially when you think that there’s not much to that moment, notice His Presence in that present moment and what He has done for you. He sees you and He’s calling you to come and see Him!
Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Father help me to see You in every part of my day, even in the places that I least expect to see. Father, open up my eyes to Your presence in the ordinary and the extraordinary moments of life. Father, Thank You for the Phillip’s in my life. Women and men who have unwavering faith and loyalty to You and who are ready and willing to respond to the call of God in their lives and to recognize that He is not only the Son of Man who died on the Cross, but the Son God who rose from the dead so that I might not perish but have everlasting life! Father, help me never to lose sight of who Jesus Christ is in my life. Father, help me never to forget that Jesus is my Redeemer, Keeper, Sustainer and Guide. Father, I want to just like Jesus, today and every day that lies ahead of me. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean
