Nathanael is the sixth disciple Jesus chose when He began his earthly ministry. Nathanael (Greek name meaning “God has given” or “gift of God”) was also known as Bartholomew (Aramaic name – meaning son of Talmai).
Certainty is very important especially when it is accompanied by faith. After Philip started following Jesus, he found Nathanael and shared the gospel with Nathanael that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah with absolute certainty (v 45). Although Philip was undoubtedly firm in his faith, Nathanael had his doubts that anything good can come out of Nazareth (v 46). Anyone’s name associated with Nazareth was a derogatory term because of its insignificance, especially having anything to do with the prophesied Messiah.
Nathanael’s response is met with his own prejudice as a fellow Galilean. He lived in the town of Cana in the region of Galilee. It is widely known that Judeans despised Galileans, but even Galileans themselves despised those from the village of Nazareth. Despite Nathanael’s relationship with Philip, his first response hearing about Jesus is deterred by this prejudice. Another deterrence was due to his ignorance of Scripture. Ignorance of the Word makes God little, but the more we read and treasure the word of God, God becomes larger and more apparent. So, we see that prejudice and ignorance prevents Nathanael from believing in Jesus.
After Nathanael met with Philip, “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit’ (v 47)! Nathanael was surprised because Jesus knew him better than himself. Jesus knew exactly who Nathanael was and even saw him even before Philip called him. In other words, Jesus knew him already because he was one of the elect (Eph. 1:4). God’s election is what allows believers to have assurance of their faith. This certainty comes with full conviction and power by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:4-5). Certainty comes from knowing the Lord personally and action that follows suit.
Nathanael’s response to Jesus is, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel” (v 49). Nathanael immediately believes that Jesus is God and Lord. Certainty about Jesus is believing that He is God and Lord in the heart. This assurance of who Jesus is enables us to apply our faith in Him under all circumstances. As God and King, Christians are sure of one thing; that is, to surrender and obey Him no matter what. And it is only by certainty of knowing who Christ is and believing in Him that we are able to put Him above all else.
Nathanael was a man of uncertainty that comes around to believe that Jesus is the Lord by the power of the gospel. Nathanael, a changed man from the inside out, is now known as the apostle of certainty because his faith in the Lord was sure (v 49). Do we also have this kind of assurance of faith that is fixed on Jesus Christ and the gospel? It is the certainty of faith gifted by the Holy Spirit that propels a Christian into a life of obedience and sharing the gospel to others that they might also receive the gospel with the full assurance witnessed in Nathanael’s life.
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