Listen

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

John 1:47-51

Think

Have you ever had a suggestion from a friend that turned out to be great advice? Maybe he played a song for you that turned out to be your favorite, she loaned you a book that you couldn’t stop reading, or he introduced you to someone who also became a close friend. Sometimes good friends can point the way to something that makes our lives even better. While we have to decide whether their suggestions are good or not, sometimes friends help us grow in new ways.

After hearing about Jesus from Philip, Nathanael followed his advice and walked towards Jesus. When Jesus saw Nathanael, he already knew Nathanael’s heart. It must have surprised Nathanael that Jesus already knew so much about him, since they had never met before. Jesus had only seen him under the fig tree. When Nathanael realized that Jesus knew him thoroughly before they even met, he exclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah! Nathanael began his relationship with Jesus through the realization that Jesus already knew and loved him, and Jesus responded by saying that even more amazing things were in store for Nathanael because of his faith.

Stephanie Ezell

Pray

Dear God, thank you for having a real relationship with me, and for your love that is greater than I can imagine. Amen.

Go

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21