Day 253 – John: Character sketch of Nathanael (Jesus’ disciple)

“As they approached, Jesus said, ‘Now here is a genuine son of Israel – a man of complete integrity.” John 1:47 NLT

Certain people are refreshingly direct, and they help others around them think clearly. Such was the friend Philip tracked down after he began to follow Jesus – a devout Jew from Cana named Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew). Their exchange regarding the identity of Jesus gives a helpful glimpse at the practical and cautious faith of the men Jesus called as his disciples. They believed, but not easily.

Philip knew he had news for Nathanael; they shared a common interest in anticipating the long-awaited Messiah of Israel. But Nathanael didn’t immediately accept Philip’s glowing endorsement of Jesus as the one they were expecting. In Nathanael’s view, Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth made any claim about him suspect. Undaunted, Philip invited Nathanael to “come and see”. When the doubtful Nathanael approached Jesus, he was greeted with a compliment. Jesus recognized his integrity, and Nathanael felt a sense of being known. Not only did Nathanael acknowledge and respond to Jesus as the one he had been waiting for, but he also realized that Jesus had actually been waiting to meet him.

Ultimately, our experience with Jesus may catch others’ attention, but genuine faith will only rise in them as they discover Jesus themselves. Our task is to make the introduction. Jesus has His own ways of connecting with those He came to save.

Strengths and accomplishments

Nathanael might have been sceptical, but he was honest in making decisions. Honest questions come from a heart and mind that sincerely want to know the truth. God knows u intimately long before we meet him.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Nathanael and that through him we learn that You already knew and loved us before we met You. Thank You that he was honest and had integrity, which carried through in his faith. May we be, like Nathanael, always be honest and have integrity. Amen.