John 1:48
“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
This verse should give us pause to think. When Nathanael asks, “How do you know me?” Jesus could have said, “Well, anyone who makes a comment like you just did is either honest or a boor.” But he didn’t. Instead he says in effect that he was watching Nathanael even before Philip told him who Jesus was. If as a man Jesus was able to keep and eye on people without being physically in their presence, how much more true is that now?
Q: What do you want Jesus to see you doing today?
Very interesting exchange. My take is.
1. V-45, Nathanael was told by Philip, ” We have found him, of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth. Dt. 18:15, Moses, Ruler of Israel will come. Micah 5:2, Will come from Bethlehem. It is possible both men were aware of these. Therefore Nathanael’s original question “What good can come from Nazareth was logical”.
2. V-47, Jesus say’s “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.” Which indicates he was addressing the inner condition of Nathanael’s heart.
3. V-48, Nathanael replies how do you know me?, (know my heart)?
to which Jesus replies ” I saw you before Philip called thee.”
4. V-49, Nathanael recognizes and proclaims Jesus is the Son of God.
I know Jesus will see my heart, as I seek to live my life for Him.
I want Him to see me thanking Him for all He has done,..from the whipping post to the cross taking all the weight of my sin on Him. I want Him to see me rejoicing in Him for the salvation He has given me,..I want Him to see me worshiping Him in honesty and truth because I believe in Him,..I want Him to see me praying from my heart for others and myself,..I want Him to hear me asking for His will to be done in my life,…I want Him to see me doing what He has called me to do,…I want Him to hear me shout His message from the mountain top even though I am not some scholar that has doctorate degrees on the wall,..I want Him to see how grateful I am for choosing someone like me to enjoy a life with Him,..I am sure the list will go on,..but I had better save some room for others to share what they want Jesus to see them doing,..
Thanks Ron! Thank you John!!
Personally it helps me in my walk with Jesus to know that He is with me. It helps in my decision making to know that he is aware of my thoughts. It certainly helps to keep my emotions in check to know that I am not alone, ever.
Good stuff Bros. Only our God could come up with a way save us and give us the power to know & obey His will.
It is interesting to me that I have this question today. One, today is the last workday of my deployment, and two, today has not gone the way I thought it would when I woke up.
I thought I would be wrapping up canvasing the northern part of a county in Illinois, instead I am training my replacement.
Originally, I wanted Jesus to see me being diligent in my duties to the end, and I prayed for God to help me make (at least) one meaningful connection. Now I realize that God answered that prayer and gave me my replacement to make a connection with. As the day has progressed I have learned that this man has such a very different background than me professionally and does not have the years of experience I have. He is in for a wide learning curve. The thought occurred to me that this man needs some prayer, and then the thought occurred to me that I needed to be specific about the prayers I said on his behalf. So today my prayer (for myself) is that I can be aware of and identify the ways I can lift this man up in prayer. This is what I would like Jesus see me doing.
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
Chris,
What a beautiful answer to the question for this post! Thank you!