If you know the gospel of John, and especially the first chapter, you will know that this description is how Jesus first refers to Nathanael. Nathanael is what we might call today a “blunt northerner”, plain-speaking and direct. Philip tells him enthusiastically that they have found the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, but Nathanael is unimpressed, and says: “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46)

Jesus needs just two very brief statements to convince Nathanael. The first is: “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (John 1:47). Even before He meets him, Jesus knows Nathanael’s character, knows that here is an honest man. This gets his attention straight away: “How do you know me?” is Nathanael’s response.

Jesus’ second statement is the clincher: “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” If like me you are familiar with Jesus’ amazing miracles, this seems like quite a minor thing. But for Nathanael it is totally convincing, and his response, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and the king of Israel, shows the complete transformation of his understanding that is the result of two minutes talking to Jesus!

What can we learn from this short passage? I love that Jesus speaks personally to Nathanael. No-one else is spoken to the same way. In the first chapters of John, Jesus meets several different people, such as Nicodemus the Pharisee, the Samaritan woman at the well, the official from Capernaum, and the paralyzed man at the Bethesda pool. Each one hears the love of Jesus speaking into their own personal situation; each one receives just what they need.

There are two applications that help us in leading worship. One of our aims is to encourage people to experience Jesus personally. We worship as a church body together, but God also wants us to meet with Him individually. Hence every worship time is different, because the Holy Spirit is always wanting to do a new thing amongst us. And even in the same worship time, many of those present will experience or receive different things from the Lord. One will be feeling the love of God; another may repent and receive His mercy; another will bathe in the radiance of His presence; still another may be receiving guidance for the way forward.

One final thing about this short but wonderful conversation. Jesus does not mention Nathanael’s disparaging comments about Nazareth. He knew what Nathanael had said of course, and we can read there Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy. Instead of any mention of Nathanael’s past sins, what we do get is a little glimpse of the future. Nathanael’s future and our future if we are following Jesus: “You will see greater things than that.” (John 1:50)

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