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Nathaniel (Bartholomew)
John 1:43-51
We try not to judge a book by its cover. That’s what Nathaniel also called Bartholomew did. And let’s see how it turned out for him.
The next day, Jesus wanted to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter.
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.”
Nathanael said to him, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”“Come and see!” Philip told him.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Truly, here is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, while 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!”Jesus replied, “You believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that!” Then he added, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:43-51 EHV)
The Word of God taken from John chapter one. Now, thankfully, the “book” Nathaniel misjudged was Jesus who has a perfect life and offers freedom and victory from sin and death for all who come to him. Thankfully, once Nathaniel realized who Jesus was, he found a Lord who was forgiving and gracious. But if you or someone you know has ever been dismissive or skeptical about Jesus or the Christian faith, Philip’s words to his friend Nathaniel give us a good script.
What did Philip say? Come and see. We can also say, come and see this Lord who speaks through His word to your deepest insecurities and fears that maybe you haven’t been brave enough to confront on your own or tell to anyone else.
Come and see this Lord, who does not demand from you, but first gives himself for you on the cross, taking all of your guilt and shame away. Come and see this Lord, who in baptism claims you as his own, giving you identity and belonging and purpose and a future. Then come and see the body of Christ, fellow believers who have gathered around this Savior. How, even with their shortcomings and sins, you will find a love here that is deeper and more consistent, flowing from this Savior than you will find anywhere else. Come and see.
You know, Nathaniel was from Cana in Galilee, where Jesus did his first public miracle changing water into wine. So both by believing in Jesus and also getting to witness and and experience these miracles. Nathaniel was receiving what Psalm 34 promises. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him.
