“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, ‘Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.’ Nathanael saith unto him, ‘Whence knowest thou me?’ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.’ Nathanael answered and saith unto him, ‘Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.’ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.’ And he saith unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.'” (John 1:47-51 KJV)
Nathanael’s story is such a powerful one. How could he not immediately accept Jesus as The Christ? Jesus gave evidence of his glory by what he told Nathanael. This guileless Israelite knew that he had been physically alone under that fig tree and had never met Jesus before this moment. He knew that under normal human conditions, there was no way Jesus could have known where he had been and what he had been doing prior to this moment.
But it seems that Jesus thought Nathanael’s faith response was a little too quick. Perhaps Nathanael might need to wait for more evidence. Jesus was going to show him greater things which would provide undeniable evidence that He was The Christ. Greater evidence would include Nathanael seeing the glory of God “ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” as angels from heaven ministered to him.
Faith does not come from miraculous happenings. Faith come from hearing the correctly interpreted Word of Truth preached. The preached Word introduces us to Christ, encourages a relationship with Christ, empowers us to receive Christ, enables us to truly know Christ. A relationship with Christ is the true evidence of faith. Paul the Apostle said, ” that I may know him.” Faith is not founded upon miracles. Faith is founded upon who Christ is and his promises to every believer.
Miracles will not sustain us in the midst of crises. Only a firm hope in the Resurrected Christ can sustain us in unsettled, perilous times. When our confidence is deeply rooted in God himself, our worst foes and woes cannot defeat us. He will live in our innermost thoughts. The house where God dwells cannot be destroyed despite the surrounding dangers.
His own victory over the enemy confidently affirms this. He suffered malicious insults and persecution, yet He conquered death, hell, and the grave. He was bruised for our iniquity but was not conquered by iniquity. He was despised and rejected but remained faithful to the end. He bore our sorrow and grief but never surrendered to them. He was given beatings and killed but he gave health and life! He was buried but the grave could not hold him. The gates of hell resisted him but could not prevail against him!
Confidence . . . the victory of a disciple. Confidence . . . the bread of the children. Confidence . . . the crumbs from the Master’s table. Confidence on the mountain! Confidence in the valley of shadows! Confidence day in and day out. Confidence in the morning! Confidence at night . . . and all in between!
Dear Father, thank you for the confidence you provide us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Empower our confidence to grow even stronger. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in your confidence toward Christ,