Mon 18May09: John 1: 43-51 NRSV
Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit! v47
Nathanael was skeptical. He had not believed Philip that this person can be the someone, "about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote". Especially when he came from Nazareth, a town from which, in Nathanael's view, nothing good could emerge. Until he heard those words in v47 above.
A remarkably accurate description indeed. He asked the Lord how He got to know him. The Lord told him that He saw him under the fig tree even before Philip went to call him! Nathanael's skepticism turned into amazement, and he realised that Philip was correct.
Nathanael replied,"Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!" v48
This evening, I'm awakened by the Lord's description of Nathanael. He was a true Israelite. In him there was no deceit. You don't encounter people of such high integrity very often. A person like him should make a very a good friend in life. Nathanael was a person who must have been known to all his friends in Galilee as a forthright, sincere person who, for instance, would never resort to deceitful words to gain political expediency.
Here was a man whose words you can always trust. And when he exclaimed openly that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, the King of Israel, the people around him should probably take notice.
Christians, let us emulate Nathanael. Let us endeavour to come across to people around us, particularly our own brothers and sisters in Christ, as forthright sincere people of high integrity. In our fellowship with one another, and our interaction with the world around us, let us say things with Christian honour.
Let us be people in whom there is no deceit.
