John 1:43-51 – The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
“When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Jesus physically saw Nathanael arriving and then spoke to him. Whenever we read of God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit we must recognize who He, who they are. They are not us. He is not us. They are not human (except that Jesus on earth was a man), they are God. When we read scriptures talking about God we must remember who and what He is. He is not a human person with all of the limitations of humanity. He is our unlimited and eternal God. His ways are so far above our ways (Isaiah 55:9) that we can only begin to understand Him. It is said that the part of the iceberg that is seen is only the tip, a small part of it. Some might use that as an example of our ability to see and understand God. Maybe, if it were said that the part of the iceberg not seen is infinite. Even the tip of God is infinite. The Lord God is overwhelmingly immense and His knowledge and wisdom have no end. Even the light from the sun is feeble in comparison as it has a beginning and an end and God does not. So yes, Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, but Jesus had seen and known of Nathanael since before the creation of all creation. He had seen Nathanael and He has seen and known all of us in the same way. He had always known the exact day that Philip would lead Nathanael to Him, and so the day that Nathanael would abandon all other things to follow Jesus. Yes, Jesus physically saw but before that day, Jesus knew! Jesus had already known everything about Nathanael. Jesus declaring that Nathanael was an honest man, Jesus knowing everything about Nathanael would have been amazing if He were only a man. But He was not. He was wholly God and Man. So, of course Jesus fully knew Nathanael before He physically met Him. Just as Jesus fully knows about all of us. Yes, fully. Think about it.
“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael had just met Jesus. He certainly had much to learn about Jesus. Just as when we first entered into our salvation, we had much to learn and understand about our great God. We did then, we do now and we always will. Imagine if you were to meet a person who would instantly tell you about who you are and who you strive to be and then tell you where you had been and what you were doing even though he had never before met you or seen (so you thought). Any one of us would be amazed, or at least very curious. In our day it would be alarming. In Nathanael’s day it would also be alarming, but in a different way. Who was this man telling Nathanael about himself? Philip had said that Jesus was the Messiah. Could Philip have been right?
“Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Because Jesus had told Nathanael of himself and also of where he had been and what he was doing, Nathanael immediately understood why Philip had told him that Jesus was the Messiah. Yet, although it is not known, people have pondered what Nathaniel was doing under the fig tree.
Some speculate that when Nathanael was under the fig tree that he was reading scripture and praying. The scripture that is sometimes speculated that he was reading was Genesis 28:10-17. It is easy to see how one would fancy that as the scripture is subsequently brought up by Jesus. It is an enticing thought, but not one stated as fact in the scripture. Still, we can see how it is possible. Also, if Nathanael was studying scripture, how powerful that Jesus would be saying I saw you searching scripture and praying. I saw you seeking me. I saw and heard your zeal, your questions and your prayers. Yes, it may not be provable that this is what happened, but it certainly sounds very plausible. I don’t state it to be fact, but I like what it reveals about God having His eyes upon us.
Certainly, though Nathanael did not know the depth of who Jesus was, calling Him the Son of God was accurate. And though people quibble over the title of the “king of Israel,” though He was not then the physical king of Israel, He as Messiah was the coming King. Besides, Philip called Him the Son of God and King of Israel in confessing that He was indeed the Messiah as Philip had told him.
God Almighty, Creator of all things in the heavens and earth sees us. He sees us struggles. He knows our hurts. He hears our questions. He knows our hearts that call out to Him. He hears us call out to Him “Father, help me.” (Romans 8:15, Matthew 14:30) God sees and responds to us, whether we understand or not. He is within His children and giving them comfort from within and without. Jesus is the Answer. Jesus is the Way. (John 14:6) Jesus saw Nathanael before he even knew Jesus existed. It is the same with us. He sees us, He loves us, He is good and His thoughts and love are focused on us. What comfort! What rest! Praise God!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.