January 8: Accepting His Love.
HIS KNOWLEDGE.
"When you were under the fig tree, I saw you."--John 1:48
Have you ever been surprised by how much someone knows you? I went to preach at a church in Central California and spent the whole weekend there; we had a fantastic time studying the Scriptures together. A couple of ladies, whom I had never met, approached me and told me that they knew me since I was one year of age. I was startled! They went on to explain that they were teenagers in a local church in Argentina, where my dad was the pastor. I had turned one year old in that church! They knew me and they knew my family! It's a small world!
Nathanael was more than surprised by Jesus' knowledge of him! After Jesus had called Philip to follow Him (see John 1:43), Philip found Nathanael and excitedly announced: "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (verse 45). But Nathanael was less than impressed; his prejudice against Nazareth didn't let him see beyond the stereotype: "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (verse 46). Instead of arguing, Philip invited him to come and see for himself. Before Nathanael could utter a word, Jesus said to him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" (verse 47). Can you imagine Nathanael's mind racing, wondering how He knew him? Jesus had revealed that He really knew him and stated that Nathanael was "Israel" without the "Jacob" part, without the deception, dishonesty, treachery, and trickery associated with the patriarch Jacob. "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' " (verse 48). I am speechless, and so was Nathanael. This revelation made a profound impact on him, and from his heart came his confession: "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel" (verse 49). God knows us intimately. When you opened this book this morning, He saw you. When you cried yourself to sleep last night, He saw you. He knows your joys, your sadness, your dreams, your trials. No need to hide anything from Him. He knows everything about you and He loves you!
My Response:_______________________________________________
HIS KNOWLEDGE.
"When you were under the fig tree, I saw you."--John 1:48
Have you ever been surprised by how much someone knows you? I went to preach at a church in Central California and spent the whole weekend there; we had a fantastic time studying the Scriptures together. A couple of ladies, whom I had never met, approached me and told me that they knew me since I was one year of age. I was startled! They went on to explain that they were teenagers in a local church in Argentina, where my dad was the pastor. I had turned one year old in that church! They knew me and they knew my family! It's a small world!
Nathanael was more than surprised by Jesus' knowledge of him! After Jesus had called Philip to follow Him (see John 1:43), Philip found Nathanael and excitedly announced: "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (verse 45). But Nathanael was less than impressed; his prejudice against Nazareth didn't let him see beyond the stereotype: "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (verse 46). Instead of arguing, Philip invited him to come and see for himself. Before Nathanael could utter a word, Jesus said to him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" (verse 47). Can you imagine Nathanael's mind racing, wondering how He knew him? Jesus had revealed that He really knew him and stated that Nathanael was "Israel" without the "Jacob" part, without the deception, dishonesty, treachery, and trickery associated with the patriarch Jacob. "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' " (verse 48). I am speechless, and so was Nathanael. This revelation made a profound impact on him, and from his heart came his confession: "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel" (verse 49). God knows us intimately. When you opened this book this morning, He saw you. When you cried yourself to sleep last night, He saw you. He knows your joys, your sadness, your dreams, your trials. No need to hide anything from Him. He knows everything about you and He loves you!
My Response:_______________________________________________
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