There are a couple of things that become immediately apparent about Nathanael based on his initial response to Phillip’s invitation. First, Nathanael appears to be a pretty straightforward person. He seemingly does not mind speaking his mind regardless of the consequences. Let’s look beyond his deeply ingrained prejudice against the Nazarenes who he considers not quite up to his standards. The fact is that he is not easily swayed or impressed even on the basis of a friend’s recommendation.
Make no mistake; Phillip’s invitation is
divinely initiated. The same Spirit of
God within Jesus compels Phillip to go in search of Nathanael, not in spite of
who he is, but because of who he is. The
very qualities that may have been unsavory or unpalatable to another are
nothing but “diamonds in the rough” in the hands of the Master. Nathanael is a guileless, genuine, and discerning
Bethsaida Brother. As is the case with many of us, these innate qualities may
be masked and mangled by the outer expressions taught us by a life of
disappointments and disarray. But Jesus
sees beyond that façade even before he meets him in person.
I like Phillip’s unflinching response to
Nathanael’s initial disdain and derision.
He overlooks his self-centered myopia and prejudice and invites him to
check it out for himself. In other words
he says, “Don’t take my word for it—come see for yourself!” This is what Nathanael still lacked that the
four followers of Jesus (Andrew, Peter, Phillip, and a yet unnamed second
disciple of John the Baptist that also spent the day with Jesus) had already
experienced. Personal. One-to-one.
Individualized. These are words
that describe an encounter. It cannot be
second-hand. It is not valid if it
simply is the result of second-person information. Even the very words of Scripture fall short
of the personal experience with the Word spoken of in Scripture (read John
5:39). Nathanael is in for the surprise
of his life! It is about to get very
personal.
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