The Gift of God
Today's Verse:
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. ~John 1:49
A gift is something that is bestowed upon another without coercion, force, or demand. It is an expression of love, concern, and a desire to show one’s affection and respect. There is the giving of a gift and there is the receiving of a gift. The name Nathanael means “the gift of God.” His parents probably gave him that name out of appreciation for God giving them a son. His name is also a reminder that God places us in the lives of other people as God’s gift to them. This morning, let us consider the blessing of the gift of God in Nathanael.
We see Nathanael and a soulwinner.
Nathanael had a good friend named Philip. Philip is the man who introduced Nathanael to the Lord Jesus. A good friend is a gift from God. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). Philip was a close friend, but he was also a compassionate friend. Nathanael’s life changed that day when Philip brought him to Jesus. A soulwinner’s greatest work is having the compassion, courage, and credibility in bringing people whom he is acquainted with to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
We see Nathanael the skeptic.
“And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” When Nathanael heard that Jesus was from Nazareth, reservations immediately arose in his thoughts and heart. Nazareth was considered a lowly, poverty-stricken city where nothing good and no one famous ever came out of it. His reaction to Philip’s invitation was, “Are you for real?” He had his doubts about Jesus before he even met Him! We must be careful to not allow our perceptions to impede our faith and the importance of doing our responsibilities.
We see Nathanael and his salvation.
Jesus met Nathanael right where he was. The first thing that Jesus does was expose Nathanael for who he was. Jesus in plain terms revealed how He knew all about Nathanael. Then, Nathanael expressed surprise that Jesus knew who he was. The words of Jesus convicted Nathanael of his sin. Just as Nathanael asked if anything good came out of Nazareth, the word of our Lord convicted Nathanael that nothing good was inside of him. “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Nathanael immediately confessed that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel. His confession was not just an acknowledgement; his confession became a faith acceptance. Nathanael learned that day that something more than good came out of Nazareth to meet him: it was the Son of God Who came to Nathanael and gave him the gift of eternal life.
We see Nathanael and his selection.
Nathanael would be selected as one of the twelve. He was known in the other gospels as Bartholomew and was always with Philip next to him. Nathanael would be God’s gift in heralding the gospel message. Jesus told him,“Thou shalt see greater things than these.” He was told that he would see “the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” I believe Nathanael was given foreknowledge that day of God’s power and grace upon his life. The apostles saw the miracles of God and answers to prayer during and after Jesus' ministry on earth. The meeting that Nathanael had that day with Jesus changed everything about his future. He became God’s gift to sinful men in bringing them to Christ.
Let us not forget the servants of God who are God’s gifts to us and our family. Let us not forget that God has placed us where we are as His gift to people who need Him. Have faith in what God has given you and where He has placed you. Indeed, thou shalt see greater things than these!
Have a blessed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 13-15
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