Listen

The next day Jesus wanted to go into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter.

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets: Jesus, Joseph’s son, from Nazareth.”

Nathanael responded, “Can anything from Nazareth be good?”

Philip said, “Come and see.”

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Here is a genuine Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?”

Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

John 1:43-48

Think

There are moments when doubts reveal how much we care – like when the disciple Thomas doubts the risen Savior and demands to see for himself. And then, there are those misgivings that come from a point of discomfort or dislike.

Nathaniel is underwhelmed by Jesus’ hometown, skeptical of Jesus because of a misunderstanding of who he might be. And yet, Jesus blesses him. Despite Nathaniel’s doubts, Jesus was already loving him unconditionally.

Now that Jesus is no longer on earth, it’s our job to be the ones who set aside doubts of other people, our own unfounded anxieties or apprehensions, to extend the grace and love of God.

We may encounter folks who don’t like us because of some doubt or reluctance. These moments say more about the doubter than they do about us. How we respond in those situations speaks loudest about our character or integrity. If our identity is united with Christ, it means that we can respond with grace and blessing despite the challenges.

Daniel Potter

Pray

Thank you for knowing me like Nathaniel, O God; for anticipating my heart long before I knew you. Help me find that same love in my own heart for others. Enable a way for my doubts to lead me deeper into relationship with you and with others, rather than to misgivings or anxiety. Amen.

Go

The Creator of the Cosmos, the one who formed all that was or is or will be, is the same God who breathed breath into you, the one who knit you together, the one who knows you best, and the one who calls you.

Know this gift more deeply today, and share it as freely as you received it: You are called and known.