God Notices You: The Skeptic

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”Nathanael asked.
“Come and see”, said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of
him, “Here is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
“How do you know me,” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip
called you.”
John 1: 46-48

It was common in those days to have village rivalry, so Nathanael’s skeptical attitude
toward Jesus would not be a surprising response. Important or famous people did not
come from small villages. So it was almost comical for Philip to approach Nathanael
saying, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law and about whom the
prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1: 44-45).

However, we see an immediate change once Jesus spoke to him. Nathanael not only
called Jesus a teacher, but the Son of God, and the King of Israel (verse 49)!
This is a huge attitude change.

If we ever come across someone who is skeptical about who Jesus is or what we
believe as followers of Christ, just remember this story about Nathanael. God noticed
him and allowed Jesus to change his heart.

Father, forgive us when we doubt You.

Charity O