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Deep insights into the soul

Text: John 1:43-51

DEEP INSIGHTS INTO THE SOUL

Jesus had an uncanny way of looking deep into the depths of a person’s soul. This was something that must have fascinated John the author. He noted this ability of Jesus when Peter was brought to him by Andrew. Presumably, John was there as well.

“Now when Jesus looked at him, He said,
‘You are Simon the son of Jonah;
You shall be called Cephas
(which is translated, A stone).”
John 1:42

What an unnerving experience that must have been for Peter, and for those who were present! It was happening again, this time with the skeptical Nathanael.

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him,
and said of him,
‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit.'”
John 1:47

Nathanael must have been most astonished! How could Jesus have made such remarks? Could Philip have given Jesus information about him? Was there something about Nathanael that had given him away? But how could that be possible? He was just like other Jews! He may have had more learning than others, but how could Jesus know this special trait about him.

How could Jesus know that he was a straightforward person who did not appreciate guile or deception. He was one of those who would call a spade a spade. He was frank and candid in his thoughts and words. Thus if he thought that Philip was mistaken, he would speak his mind. Philip had mentioned that Jesus was from Nazareth. That was not a well-known city. It had not been famous for anything in particular. Could a great man arise from that little city, let alone Philip’s claim that Jesus was the One prophesied in the law of Moses and the Prophets (John 1:45).

A HUMBLED AND PERPLEXED NATHANAEL

Nathanael was perplexed. He must also have been humbled by what Jesus said. What a strange way to begin a conversation. Jesus had spoken first. If nothing else, He displayed tremendous control of the situation at hand. He was master of the situation, and no mistake about that!

Nathanael could only ask meekly.

“How do you know me?”
John 1:48

How indeed did Jesus know him? Did someone prompt Jesus? Was there something Jesus noticed? Was He only making a guess, and a good one at that too? The reply of Jesus would make all the difference.

Nathanael was known and respected for being a good and true Israelite. He was a good son of Israel. He must have been known to uphold what Israel stood for! He was not a person of guile. If Jesus had attempted guile, surely Nathanael would notice.

AN IMPORTANT GLIMPSE OF THE MESSIAH’S POWERS

Jesus was as straightforward as Nathanael. He too was One in whom there was no guile. He received a direct question. He now sought to explain things plainly. Nathanael must have listened with a great sense of awe when Jesus said these words to him.

“Before Philip called you,
when you were under the fig tree,
I saw you.”
John 1:48

No, it wasn’t Philip who informed Jesus about Nathanael. Nobody told Him about Nathanael. Jesus said that He saw him, even before Philip spoke to him. He was under a fig tree when Nathanael called him.

The little detail about Nathanel under a fig tree was the clincher! Nobody could have described details like that unless He was there personally. But how could Jesus have been there personally? Philip and Nathanael had walked some distance to see Jesus. There could be only one conclusion! Philip must have been right when he said,

“We have found Him of whom Moses in the law,
and also the prophets, wrote –
Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
John 1:45

A GUILESS CONFESSION OF FAITH

True to form, Nathanael could not help but speak plainly from his heart. He was convinced. Jesus was no ordinary person. Who was he then? Nathanael’s heart told him the answer,

“Rabbi, You are the Son of God!
You are the King of Israel!”
John 1:49

Jesus was not just the son of Joseph. Of course you could say that, for Joseph was indeed the legal father of Jesus. But Jesus was more than that! Nathanael acknowledged Jesus firstly as a learned Rabbi. But that was not all. He was indeed the Son of God! That would be a more fitting title than just “son of Joseph”!

Nathanael went further. A good number of true Israelites had always believed that the Messiah would come as their Redeemer-King. Jesus must indeed be the One whom Moses and the Prophets had foretold. He was their long-expected Messiah! What a confession of faith! Can you make such a confession too?