There is a somewhat humorous encounter that we find in the first chapter of John’s gospel in the calling of Nathanael. Jesus had called Phillip to follow him. Phillip recognized the significance of the call from this rabbi and went to find Nathanael. “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.” (John 1:45) Nathanael’s response was less than enthusiastic. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) He did, however, follow Phillip to meet Jesus. We read of their encounter in the next few verses of chapter 1:

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:47-49 ESV)

Nathanael’s initial reaction may have been one of being thoroughly impressed. “How does he know me? Have we met?” What else went through his mind may have been more disturbing. “He knows me. He seems to have known what I was thinking. He knows what I said about him and his hometown. How much more does he know about me?”

This encounter that John records for us is one that is very relatable, humbling, and deeply profound. It is relatable to us because we have all been where Nathanael was. We have all said things we later regret and have had the things we said come back to bite us in one way or another. We have judged too quickly, and have had that judgment proven wrong and have had to admit to our mistakes.

This event is also very humbling. We see Nathanael standing before Jesus completely exposed and unable to hide. We like to be known by others, but we typically only give them information that we want them to know about us. In other words, we only share the parts of ourselves that make us look good in their eyes. We want people to think well of us. We realize in this encounter that we cannot hide anything from Jesus. He knows all about us: every thought, every desire, every careless word, all the dark places where we like to keep things hidden, everything is open to his view (Hebrews 4:13). That is a very humbling and vulnerable place to be.

This encounter is also very profound in that even though Jesus knows all about us, even though there is nothing we can hide from him, he still wants us. Jesus calls people, broken and flawed people, people with ugly pasts and presents, people like us. The depth of his love and desire to be with us are incredible. It is not a new thing. Throughout history, God has called, dwelled with, and worked through incredibly flawed people. The nation of Israel wasn’t called to be God’s people because they were morally better, more powerful, or more influential than the other nations around them (Deuteronomy 7:6-8; 9:4-7). It was because of God and his faithfulness to his covenant and because of his desire that all nations would have the opportunity to be a part of his people.

The invitation of Jesus is offered to us where we are, but as we learn more about what this call means, we become different people. Nathanael’s confession after seeing Jesus is one that leads to a change, a complete change. It is one that communicates that we allow Jesus to lead us and to transform us from the old, broken person we used to be into a new person with new direction, new priorities, and real hope. This encounter in John 1 ends with Nathanael being invited to witness something amazing. Jesus answered 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:50-51)

We are invited on that same journey. When we meet Jesus and see him for who he truly is, when we realize his great love for us and his willingness to be with us, it will change us. When we answer the call to follow him, we get to witness the incredible. As we continue to follow and continue to learn and to trust and obey, we will see our lives changed. We will interact differently with those around us, and invite others to join us in following him.