Behold an Israelite indeed

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

- John 1:43-51

In yesterday's passage, we read of the first followers of Jesus; that is, those who will become his apostles. His earliest followers come from the ranks of the disciples of John the Baptist, who declared "Behold the Lamb of God" to all, and the prophecy or revelation of the Sonship of Jesus and his Anointing at the Baptism in the Jordan. Yesterday's passage taught us about the early discipleship of Andrew, Simon Peter and the evangelist himself. Today, we read about new followers coming to Jesus, the apostles Philip and Nathanael. Philip and Nathanael are also among those who come to Jesus having first been disciples of John the Baptist. Nathanael is also known as Bartholomew. So, in today's passage we continue to see the action of the Spirit, working as relationship, a kind of seed that grows among those who partake of the light; in this case forming the early apostles of Jesus via the work of the Forerunner John the Baptist who prepared all for the Anointed One.

Philip, my study bible notes, immediately follows Jesus' command, "Follow me." It is possible, a note suggests, that he already knows about Jesus (perhaps through John the Baptist) or that he beholds the divine presence in Him. Philip finds Nathanael, in this chain of relationship through which the kingdom is building, and says, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael's response to Philip is quite different from Philip's response to Jesus' command; in effect, it is the very picture of difference! Nathanael tells Philip, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" In the Christmastide readings from Matthew, we explored the prophecy that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene, and the possibilities of the origins of this statement in Matthew's gospel. Among the possible understandings we can come to about this prophecy cited is the notion that the Messiah would be despised, because Nazareth did not have a good reputation. So Nathanael's response is one from a popular perspective of prejudice about Nazareth. But, we note, it is a question, not a dismissal.

Philip tells Nathanael to "Come and see." He must meet Jesus face to face. But Jesus' response to Nathanael's disparaging question is something quite enlightening. As Jesus knew Peter, so also he knows this new person approaching who is brought by Philip. As Nathanael is walking toward Jesus, Jesus declares of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" In effect, Nathanael is commended for his straightforward talk, his lack of immediate servility, his honesty! My study bible notes that "No deceit" implies a pure heart which is capable of recognizing Christ. And of course, we recall that Jesus will teach in the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Nathanael is amazed at this "recognition" in Jesus and asks, "Where did you come to know me?" Jesus replies that he saw Nathanael sitting under the fig tree before Philip called him. So, already we are given the understanding that Jesus knows people deeply, and recognizes the internal reality of those who will become his followers. In yesterday's passage, Jesus named Simon "Peter," rock. Today we are to understand he immediately discerns the character of Nathanael, his straightforwardness and pureness of heart. The fig tree, we recall, is a symbol of Israel - which Jesus will later use in his teaching when he speaks of fruitfulness, or the lack of it. Nathanael is overwhelmed by Jesus' knowledge, and replies, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus has "recognized" Nathanael, and as in a mirror, Nathanael then "recognizes" Jesus as Son of God. Jesus, on the other hand, tells Nathanael that he will see far greater things as follower and part of this kingdom. "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?"

And he said to him, "You will see greater things than these. Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." "The Son of Man" is a key phrase used here by Jesus at the very start of this incipient ministry. In ancient Jewish thought, my study bible notes, the Son of Man is a "mysterious being of heavenly origin who is to usher in the Kingdom of God (see Daniel 7:13,14)." Jesus is speaking of himself, as he will openly, later on (see Matthew 24:30,31). Jesus' teaching to Nathanael is reflective of Old Testament prophecy, in which Jacob dreamed of a ladder connecting earth and heaven, upon which the angels of God were ascending and descending (see Genesis 28:12-15). My study bible points out that Jesus is "Jacob's Ladder" - man's access to God, the revelation of God to man. I will quote from a note: "In His Incarnation, God and man are united. In the teachings and miracles of His public ministry, the Kingdom of God on earth is inaugurated. His Cross, set up on earth like Jacob's ladder, reaches into heaven. Through His Resurrection, Ascension and exaltation to the right hand of God, human nature is raised into heaven. And through His Second Coming, all things will be reconciled to God. In Christ, heaven and earth are joined."

Speaking for myself, these passages continue to open up for me the nature of the Kingdom, and the nature of Spirit at work. After reading and blogging through the Christmastide readings of the early events of Jesus' life, I continue to marvel at the consistent thread of the action of Spirit through the gospels and the story of Jesus' life. In Jesus we have the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, as he will teach himself, the fullness of the revelation of God. But in all the events surrounding his birth, and now the birth of his ministry, we see the hand of the Spirit that is inspiring all and working through those who accept it, in connection and relatedness and growth. John the Baptist, the great prophet, is inspired by Spirit to point to the fullness or manifestation, Jesus himself. John's disciples are led to the discipleship of Jesus and become Jesus' first apostles. They, in turn, bring others: Andrew brings his brother Simon Peter and Philip brings Nathanael. Andrew and Philip are brought to Jesus by John the Baptist, there is already a connection, a mirrored knowing and recognition. But when they in turn bring others to Jesus, we see the recognition happen in these passages: Jesus gives Simon a true name that will reflect Peter's character as the great apostle he will become, especially after Pentecost and the pouring out of the Spirit anointing all. And we also remember Peter's future confession, the rock upon which the Church will be built. Nathanael is recognized by Jesus as he sits under the fig tree, as one in whom there is no deceit, whom Jesus pronounces, "An Israelite indeed." As Jesus has been called the true Israel, so we come to understand the character and quality of his kingdom. A mutual recognition in truth takes shape before us in these passages; the growth of the kingdom in this thread of Spirit, through relatedness and recognition in those for whom Spirit and spiritual life can take the lead. We should take to heart Jesus' praise for Nathanael and the "pure in heart." We need eyes to see and ears to hear for this recognition to take place, and for it to shape us - so that we, too, may find recognition of who we are in the eyes of Christ. Start that relationship, and it will lead you deeper. Spiritual reality is a great mirror, a great reflection, teaching us recognition of who we are and Who He is, and where we need to go to dwell within that reality and make it a greater part of our lives. Thus we build the kingdom in the world. In these beginning sentences and early introductions, we already see the kingdom at work, and observe its nature. Jesus' parables will expand on what we observe of its growth.