Nathanael”¦Part Two
Serious scoffers rarely smile”¦have you noticed that? Watch Jesus turn the tables on a most serious scoffer”¦Nathanael”¦
How did Jesus turn the tables on him? Jesus knew the heart attitude of Nathanael. Nathanael spoke truth, perhaps without being concerned who he hurt in the process, nothing fake in him.
(NASB) John 1:47 “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “˜Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”™”
There was nothing false in Nathanael, no deceit; how refreshing is that?!
(NASB) John 1:48 “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.”™”
Nathanael was surprised, he had never met Jesus before this time”¦and He knew him? Nathanael had been hard to find by Philip”¦but Jesus had seen him sitting at the base of a fig tree hidden by its long sweeping branches.
Nathanael had scoffed at Philip”™s proclamation: “˜We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote ““ Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”™ (See John 1:45)
How did Nathanael respond to Jesus”™ answer?
(NASB) John 1:49 “Nathanael answered Him, “˜Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”™”
Nathanael believed because of Jesus”™ words to him, not because Philip had convinced him.
You and I can say to people, come and see for your self”¦look in the Bible and read and be convinced by God”™s word”¦not mine.
How did the Lord Jesus turn the tables on this scoffer and gently scoff at him?
(NASB) John 1:50 “Jesus answered and said to him, “˜Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”™
51 And He said to him, “˜Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”™”
What a promise to Nathanael”¦greater things would be witnessed concerning Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God.
What promises are you looking for which will show you Jesus the Christ?