From Doubt to Faith: The Call of Nathanael
Scripture: John 1:43-51 (NIV)
“The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip. 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.’”
In these verses, we witness the call of Nathanael, a man who transitions from skepticism to faith upon encountering Jesus. This passage is rich with insights into how Jesus meets us where we are, addressing our doubts and leading us to greater faith.
The story begins with Jesus deciding to leave for Galilee, where He finds Philip and simply says, “Follow me.” This direct invitation echoes the call He extends to each of us—an invitation to step into a journey with Him. Philip, in turn, seeks out Nathanael, eager to share the good news: “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Nathanael’s initial response is one of doubt and skepticism: “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” His reaction reflects a common human tendency to dismiss what we don’t understand or what doesn’t fit our expectations. But Philip doesn’t argue or try to convince Nathanael with elaborate explanations; he simply invites him to “Come and see.”
This invitation is powerful in its simplicity. Rather than trying to debate or reason with Nathanael, Philip invites him to experience Jesus for himself. When Nathanael meets Jesus, something profound happens. Jesus sees through Nathanael’s doubt and speaks directly to his heart: “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael, surprised, asks, “How do you know me?”
Jesus’ response reveals His divine knowledge and insight: “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” This revelation stuns Nathanael, leading him to declare, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” What began as doubt turns into a bold confession of faith.
Jesus acknowledges Nathanael’s belief but also points him to a greater reality: “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” Jesus promises that Nathanael will witness even more profound signs of God’s power and glory, culminating in the vision of “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
These verses offer several key lessons for our daily lives:
Respond to Jesus’ Call: When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He invites us into a life-changing journey. Reflect on how you are responding to His call today. Are you willing to step out in faith, even if it means leaving behind your comfort zone?
Invite Others to “Come and See”: Philip’s approach to Nathanael is a model for us. Instead of trying to argue or convince, he invites Nathanael to experience Jesus firsthand. Who in your life can you invite to “come and see” who Jesus is? Trust that an encounter with Jesus will speak louder than any argument.
Jesus Knows Us Intimately: Jesus’ knowledge of Nathanael before they even met shows us that He knows us intimately. He sees beyond our doubts, fears, and skepticism, addressing the deepest needs of our hearts. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus sees and knows you fully.
Expect Greater Things: Jesus promises Nathanael that he will see “greater things.” As we walk with Christ, we can expect to see God’s power and glory revealed in our lives. Keep your eyes open for the “greater things” God wants to show you.
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to follow You. Help us to respond to Your call with faith and to invite others to experience Your love and truth. Thank You for knowing us so deeply and for revealing Yourself to us in personal ways. Increase our faith and help us to see the greater things You have in store. In Jesus’ name, Amen.