Before You Were Called, He Saw You

John 1: 43-51
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and 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 of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

Nathanel answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Jesus says, "Come and see" and "Follow Me." If we do not know this Man Jesus through a close relationship with Him, we cannot envision all there is to see when we follow. I've said it over and over, a whole new world opens up. We receive spiritual wisdom, understanding, knowledge, blessings. Yes, we see trials also, but we have Someone greater than those trials on our side.

Nathanael was skeptical. He might represent a majority of people today who hesitate going, seeing and following Christ. What can be so great about this relationship might be the question. Nathanael must have known Nazareth had a sketchy reputation; I'm guessing he also knew Jesus was no more than a carpenter's son. How could their Messiah come from such a humble background?

But upon meeting Jesus his mind was changed. This so reminds me of a similar encounter the Samaritan woman had with Jesus at the well. He told her what things she had done, things no one else would know, and she believed. Nathanael said: "Rabbi, You are the Son of God!" The Samaritan woman exclaimed: “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 

Each one of us can come to a time in our lives when He shows us things that give us every reason to believe He is who He says He is. He opens the doors of our understanding. It happens!

I love Jesus' words: You will see greater things than these. The veil between God and man that keeps us from Him will be removed. I say, "Come and see!" Be among those who have heard the call, followed, believed. Nathanael's skepticism turned quickly, as did the Samaritan woman's…as did mine. Come and see those greater things. Who's next??

2Peter 1:10-11 - Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.