[The Glory Unveiled]
“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” ( John 1 :48 )
Nathanael, hitherto his encounter with Jesus was a staunch sceptic. He never believed that anything good could come out of Nazareth, to say the least of the Messiah. The first question He asked Jesus which was also His first utterance to Him was about identity. He asked, “How do you know me?” Identity distinguishes between two things and sets the course for their purpose. Before anyone came near to God, long before the message of salvation came to them, God knew them. Like Nathanael, Jesus knows and sees each one of us before we approached Him for grace. Jesus replied thus, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree… ” The fig tree symbolises a place of temporary success and comfort or a temporary covering intended to conceal shame. Sometimes in the shade of “institutional fig trees”, we become content and unwilling to make new discoveries. Nathanael was content in His knowledge; he was okay with the revelation he had under the fig tree which was actually erroneous until Philip approached him. Maybe what we think to be true may not be entirely true; oh it may be far from the truth even. But we must be curious and willing to go on the journey in the school of enlightenment and revelations. Don’t be content with your fig tree revelation, press further for fresh insights.
Prayer_Bead: Dear Lord Jesus, the hope of my heart, open my eyes to your love and calling. Teach me to know my identity in you.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.