Praise and Faith in God
Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18
Preface
During my study time this week, my attention was led to inquire about perhaps one of the least known or talked about disciples of the Master, Nathanael of Cana. This blog post is a brief review of some of the very interesting findings that reveal the person and some spiritual truths discovered in the Scriptures about Nathanael [Theodore, ‘the gift of God’].
The Calling of the Davidic King
Coming into Galilee, the Master found and called Phillip to follow Him. 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. Nathanael said to Philip, can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, come and see. John 1:43-46.
The first wonderful trait about Nathanael is that he refused to let societal ethnic negative views interfere with his quest toward seeking and encountering divine truth. Nazareth was a poor town with a very low social status during this encounter between Nathanael and the Master.
The Hebrew word [netzer] means “branch” or “shoot” which researchers state describes the prophetic Messianic calling of the town of Nazareth. Sometimes when a tree is chopped down, a shoot will grow from the stump, allowing a new tree to spring up where the old one has died. That shoot is called, in Hebrew, a [netzer.]
A shoot shall come up from the stump of Jesse
and a branch [netzer] shall grow out of his roots.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, . . .
His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:1-4, 6
The next observation concerning Nathanael was his ability to withstand honesty, subjecting himself to the discerning inner “glare” of the Master. In their conversation, Jesus knew of the conflict raging within him and addressed him with compassion, saying, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”
At this very first encounter with Jesus, Nathanael stood before the Lord and experienced a unique moment of judgment. Jesus enabled him to discover within, an expression of his own, an inner awareness of how he was, who he had been, and what he as one of His disciples, would become.
Jesus’ role in all humanity is far superior to the insignificant things of our society. The Son of Man’s role in all would-be disciples would exclusively pertain to matters of imparting eternal life into the heart of God’s people who have been separated from the Kingdom thus needing redemption and salvation.
In his amazement, Jesus revealed that He knew intimate details about Nathanael’s life by stating that He knew that he saw him under the fig tree before Philip called you. This powerful revelation of Jesus’ knowledge about Nathanael’s life identifies the next meaningful characteristic of Nathanael, he affirmed his faith in the person, declaring Jesus as the Son of God, and His office, as the King of Israel.
The Messianic Branch
This unique encounter between Jesus and Nathanael discloses the unspoken subtle interweaving of Old Covenant prophetic allusions. Philip introduced the theme of scriptural fulfillment when he declared, ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote’ (1.45). The voices of the Jacob stories would have long been recognized by these disciples, but Zech. 3.8 and 10 also play the most important role in the narrative.
“Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you-indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch[8]. On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and his fig tree.”[10]
Zech. 3.10 speaks of the time when a man would call his neighbor under a vine and fig tree. Jesus alluded to this text when he said, ‘Before Philip called you when you were under the fig tree, I saw you’ (1.48). The event is described in Zech. 3.10 was appropriate for an ‘Israelite’ like Nathanael because similar Old Covenant passages applied the vision to Israel.
More importantly, being called by a friend under a fig tree marked the advent of a messianic Branch who would reign as king according to Zech. 3.10 and 6.12, and be a Davidic figure according to Jer. 23.5 and 33.15. John would later under the anointing of the Holy Spirit while penning his Gospel, would quote and allude to Zechariah several times in his writings and knew the book well enough to connect Zech. 3.8 and 10.
The Dead Sea scrolls and other Jewish and early Christian texts show the term ‘Branch’, which was used in Zech. 3.8, was a familiar designation for the Davidic Messiah, who was understood to be the fulfillment of both the prophets and Mosaic writings. The scrolls also show that the Branch was understood to be God’s ‘Son’ and King over Israel.
The Perpetuity of God’s Eternal Covenant
The very final blessedness of Nathanael’s powerful encounter with Messiah is he is a benefactor of spiritual blessedness that is far greater than himself. Christ has come into the broken world providing salvation and deliverance.
The Master’s last words to Nathanael were a promise that he and all those others who are abiding in Christ would see greater things. Jesus revealed that he would see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. [v.51]
This was a reference to Jacob’s experience during his flight from the wrath of Esau. Genesis 28:12 Jacob during his distress was God reaffirming him to the covenant with Abraham. Jesus now as the Son of Man is saying to Nathanael that He is that One and had come to bless Abraham’s seed by providing salvation from sin and deliverance from their oppressors.
Final Sentiments
Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, without doubt, had a powerful initial encounter with Jesus, the Son of Man. That brief engagement was transformative if not revolutionary to him and the other disciples. Nathanael has the distinction of being the first recorded person to confess belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior.
He was a witness to the resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus Christ and became a missionary, spreading the gospel. Nathanael died a martyr’s death for Christ.
Christ now is glorified with all power and authority in heaven and earth. He now until His second Advent is awaiting the same affirmative willing response of people from all Nations that was implemented at the outset of His ministry. To come as you are while in the very presence of God, confessing faith in Christ, His ministry, and His Messiahship.
The Holy Scriptures all proclaim to all people that Christ Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Savior who had come to redeem all living souls back to the Father. Amen
Prayer
We will sanctify Your Name in the world even as they sanctify it in the highest heavens.
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Host.
The whole earth is full of HIs glory.
Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place.
The Lord shall reign forever, Your God O Zion, unto all generations.
Praise Ye the Lord. Blessed are Thou, O Lord the holy God and King. Amen
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo
Research materials used for this blog post:
Messianic Exegesis and the Call of Nathanael (John 1:45-51), by Craig R. Koester; The Words and Works of Jesus Christ: The Authentication of the King, The Belief by the First Disciples-28, (John 1:35-51), by J. Dwight Pentecost, The Two-Fold Testimony of John-The First Sabbath of Jesus’s Ministry-The First Sunday-The First Disciples (John 1:15-51), Book 3/Chapter 3, by Alfred Edersheim.