Read the following passage slowly. Enter into the scene by prayerfully imagining yourself as Nathanael. Observe how your face-to-face encounter with Jesus goes.
Bible Reading: John 1:47-51
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him,
"Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit."
"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel."
Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.
You will see greater things than that."
He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open,
and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."
A Reflection
Jesus saw Nathanael approaching…
We don’t know where Nathanael was as he was approaching Jesus, but where are you as you approach him? Are you at home, out in the country, in church, by lake galilee…? How are you approaching Jesus? Are you walking or running, are you tentative or confident? What can you see? What can you hear?
Jesus said of Nathanael, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit."
As you approach Jesus, what qualities does he recognise in you? Can you thank him for these gifts that he has given you?
"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
Ask Jesus how he got to know you. What does he say?
Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel."
What do you say to Jesus here? Who is Jesus to you?
Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.
Jesus recognised the beginnings of faith in Nathanael. When or what were the beginnings of faith for you?
Jesus continued, “You will see greater things than that. Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."
What promises has God made to you, either general promises, or specific promises for your life?
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that you know me through and through and that I can approach you knowing I am accepted and valued. As I continue on my journey of faith, help me to grow in my knowledge of you and in my relationship with you.
Amen.
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