“Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”” (John 1:48, ESV)
Reading John 1:47, you may notice that Jesus commented positively on a man named Nathanael. There is no mention that Jesus had met Nathaniel before this occasion. Scripture does not tell us that anyone told Jesus about Nathanael. From John 1:47, we are told that Jesus considered Nathanael “an Israelite in whom there is no deceit (guile or craftiness)”. Nathaniel was a stand-up, honest, trustworthy guy. Jesus had looked deep into Nathanael’s heart and saw Nathanael for the man who he really was. Jesus liked what He saw.
In the very next verse in scripture, John 1:48, Nathanael asked Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus responded that he had seen Nathanael “under the fig tree”. Jesus had not talked to Nathanael previously, but he somehow knew Nathanael’s heart. Based on these words of Jesus, one can presume that when Jesus looks at you, HE knows you. When Jesus sees you, HE looks deep into your soul. You can’t hide who you really are from God in Christ.
As you walk through a grocery store, hardware store, big box store, or little boutique, chances are you will see strangers in the aisles and checkout lanes around you. Looking at them, you might notice their age, mode of dress, or even hear the way they talk. You might take notice of the color of their skin, the hair (or lack of it!), or the color of their eyes. All these may tell you a few things about that person. What none of these casual glances can explain is what is in the core of their hearts. You won’t know how trustworthy they are, whether they are safe to be with, or if they might betray you. You see the visual cues. God sees the heart.
A seventy-seven-year-old woman from England rode her bike often. She did it to keep her heart healthy and her mind young. She cherished those rides on her bike. On October 20th, 2020, she decided to ride her bike down a very busy road. Wanting to be safe, she rode on the sidewalk but was courteous whenever passing near walkers. As she rode toward a 49-year-old woman, she smiled, even as the woman started to cuss at her for being on the sidewalk. Slowing to pass, the older woman had no idea what was about to happen. As she passed the younger woman on the sidewalk, the woman gave her a shove, knocking her into the road…. right in front of an oncoming car. The older woman died on the spot. A video captured from a building nearby showed everything that unfolded. The younger woman received a three-year sentence for manslaughter.
As the older woman approached the younger woman, she had no idea it would result in her death. The younger woman didn’t look like a killer. The younger woman didn’t appear to “have it out for” the older woman. They didn’t even know each other! But, inside the heart of that younger woman was a quick temper and burning anger at life. It flared in the moment she saw the woman riding the bike on “her” sidewalk. Because the older woman could not see what was in the heart of the younger woman, she could never have known how close she was coming to death.
Wouldn’t it be nice at times to know if a person was being honest, if a person was safe to pass on a bike, if a friend was telling the truth? No doubt. However, you and I can never be certain what is in the heart of another, nor what that other person is capable of doing. But God knows. God knows well. That is proven by the manner in which Jesus looked into the heart of Nathanael and saw him as a decent, trustworthy soul.
Don’t you get it? Jesus knows the hearts of those around Him. God knows the true nature of those who call upon Him. God looks deep into every soul. That means… GOD KNOWS WHAT LIES INSIDE OF YOU!
When you are having a bad day, God knows it. When you tell a white lie to cover up your mistake, God is aware. You may think that you can fool others with a smile, a few words of flattery, or by hiding away in your bedroom when upset. God knows the real you. God knows what makes you tick. You can’t hide from the God who made you!
After commenting on John 1:48, Charles F. Stanley wrote the following words: “Regardless of how others treat you, you never have to feel unloved, unrecognized, or even invisible because your Savior sees you—your past, present, and future. Jesus knows your hopes, thoughts, fears, struggles, and wounds. And He loves you deeply. So, trust that you matter to Him and that He leads you in the best way forward.” (p. 28, Jesus, Our Perfect Hope)
When things go wrong, open your heart up to the Lord. When you are worried or afraid of obstacles presented, seek God’s guidance. When your world gets shaken up by shocking news, find a place to pray in Jesus’ name. God knows you. God will speak with you. Listen for His voice. Accept His loving arms. Listen to the comfort or direction of His Holy Spirit.
In the very next verse in scripture, John 1:48, Nathanael asked Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus responded that he had seen Nathanael “under the fig tree”. Jesus had not talked to Nathanael previously, but he somehow knew Nathanael’s heart. Based on these words of Jesus, one can presume that when Jesus looks at you, HE knows you. When Jesus sees you, HE looks deep into your soul. You can’t hide who you really are from God in Christ.
As you walk through a grocery store, hardware store, big box store, or little boutique, chances are you will see strangers in the aisles and checkout lanes around you. Looking at them, you might notice their age, mode of dress, or even hear the way they talk. You might take notice of the color of their skin, the hair (or lack of it!), or the color of their eyes. All these may tell you a few things about that person. What none of these casual glances can explain is what is in the core of their hearts. You won’t know how trustworthy they are, whether they are safe to be with, or if they might betray you. You see the visual cues. God sees the heart.
A seventy-seven-year-old woman from England rode her bike often. She did it to keep her heart healthy and her mind young. She cherished those rides on her bike. On October 20th, 2020, she decided to ride her bike down a very busy road. Wanting to be safe, she rode on the sidewalk but was courteous whenever passing near walkers. As she rode toward a 49-year-old woman, she smiled, even as the woman started to cuss at her for being on the sidewalk. Slowing to pass, the older woman had no idea what was about to happen. As she passed the younger woman on the sidewalk, the woman gave her a shove, knocking her into the road…. right in front of an oncoming car. The older woman died on the spot. A video captured from a building nearby showed everything that unfolded. The younger woman received a three-year sentence for manslaughter.
As the older woman approached the younger woman, she had no idea it would result in her death. The younger woman didn’t look like a killer. The younger woman didn’t appear to “have it out for” the older woman. They didn’t even know each other! But, inside the heart of that younger woman was a quick temper and burning anger at life. It flared in the moment she saw the woman riding the bike on “her” sidewalk. Because the older woman could not see what was in the heart of the younger woman, she could never have known how close she was coming to death.
Wouldn’t it be nice at times to know if a person was being honest, if a person was safe to pass on a bike, if a friend was telling the truth? No doubt. However, you and I can never be certain what is in the heart of another, nor what that other person is capable of doing. But God knows. God knows well. That is proven by the manner in which Jesus looked into the heart of Nathanael and saw him as a decent, trustworthy soul.
Don’t you get it? Jesus knows the hearts of those around Him. God knows the true nature of those who call upon Him. God looks deep into every soul. That means… GOD KNOWS WHAT LIES INSIDE OF YOU!
When you are having a bad day, God knows it. When you tell a white lie to cover up your mistake, God is aware. You may think that you can fool others with a smile, a few words of flattery, or by hiding away in your bedroom when upset. God knows the real you. God knows what makes you tick. You can’t hide from the God who made you!
After commenting on John 1:48, Charles F. Stanley wrote the following words: “Regardless of how others treat you, you never have to feel unloved, unrecognized, or even invisible because your Savior sees you—your past, present, and future. Jesus knows your hopes, thoughts, fears, struggles, and wounds. And He loves you deeply. So, trust that you matter to Him and that He leads you in the best way forward.” (p. 28, Jesus, Our Perfect Hope)
When things go wrong, open your heart up to the Lord. When you are worried or afraid of obstacles presented, seek God’s guidance. When your world gets shaken up by shocking news, find a place to pray in Jesus’ name. God knows you. God will speak with you. Listen for His voice. Accept His loving arms. Listen to the comfort or direction of His Holy Spirit.