How Amazing To Be Known Inside/Out And Still Chosen!!
When I entered first grade I was the tallest and heaviest child in my class with one little boy taking a close second. To make matters worse, I had a speech impediment that was quite obvious. Academically I excelled which did not add to my popularity in any way. By second grade, I felt the sting even greater regarding my weight; although, my speech had been improving from regular trips to speech therapy. There was one incident that will forever stand out in my mind. As we went out to the playground with a jump rope, one pretty little girl named Kay shouted, “Pretty first, fat last”. I had become accustomed to being the one never chosen. Then amazingly, a little girl named Toni said, “Pretty is as pretty does, Darlene goes first.” What? Someone had seen me inside/out and had chosen me? That was a day I would never forget.
“GOD KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT ME, EVERY THOUGHT AND EVERYTHING I WOULD EVER DO; YET HE LOVED ME WITH HIS UNCONDITIONAL PERFECT LOVE. WHAT WONDROUS AND AMAZING GRACE!! HOW COULD I EVER GIVE HIM LESS THAN ALL MY LOVE AND ALL OF ME?
[bctt tweet=”What is SO amazing!! God knew me inside and out; yet, He still chose me to be His child.”]We know very little about Nathanael as he is mentioned only twice in the Bible. He is mentioned in the first and the last chapter of the book of John. Yet, if we look at the story of Nathanael, we see that his story is very important to each and every believer. Christ saw Nathanael inside and out; chose Nathanael and that forever changed Nathanael. Let’s look at the story.
NATHANAEL’S FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS
“43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “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.”46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ’Come and see,’ said Philip.47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’ 48 ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ 49 Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel’ “(John 1 NIV).
THE GOSPEL SHARED
Phillip had met Jesus and with his excitement ran to find his friend that the Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. He was so excited. He wanted to share his excitement. He had found the rarest treasure and his very first thought was to run and find his friend. God is our greatest treasure. The Gospel is our greatest news. Our excitement should overflow to all around us.
NATHANAEL’S TRUE CHARACTER SEEN
Nathanael’s response is “nothing good comes out of Nazareth.” Jesus responds “here comes an Israelite, an honest man.” Jesus had seen the heart of Nathanael and was well aware that here was a pride-filled, prejudiced heart. He was blunt, out-spoken and opinionated. Instead of rebuking Nathanael’s narrow mindedness; Jesus commented on his honesty. Nothing was hidden about Nathanael’s opinions. They were wrong opinions as would be proven; but, they were truly how Nathanael saw it. No pretenses, no “trying to be politically correct”; but straight forward honesty that poured from his prejudice, pride filled, doubting heart. Nathanael was amazed that Jesus was able to see deep into his heart and knew his heart. All of his negativity, all of his pride, all of his fears, all of his doubt, all of his anxiety, all of his prejudice—everything about him; Jesus could see.
JESUS SAW WHERE NATHANAEL HAD BEEN AND WHERE HE WAS NOW
Nathanael’s response, “How do you know me?” Jesus, “I saw you under the fig tree before you were called.” Jesus knew where he was. Jesus knows exactly where we have been and He intimately knows exactly where we are standing right now. He knows what circumstances are surrounding us. He knows what pains and trials are ours this very moment. He knows what temptations we have fallen to. He sees it all.
A FOLLOWER FOR LIFE
The only other mention of Nathanael in the scripture is “After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples …2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples” (John 21). Nathanael was still among the disciples after the resurrection of Christ. This is all we know—Nathanael was there at the beginning of the ministry and was there when Christ appeared to the disciples at the sea in Galilee.
AMAZING GRACE-KNOWN INSIDE/OUT AND STILL CHOSEN
God knows everything about me-Inside and Out; yet, He chose to love me-that is Amazing Grace!! Listen to the words of David in Psalm 139 (TLB) “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. 3 You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. 4 You know what I am going to say before I even say it. 5 You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.6 This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! 7 I can ever be lost to your Spirit! I can ever get away from my God!”
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
God knows everything about you and me. He sees our heart. He knows precisely every circumstance that we are facing today. In the midst of all of that, He chose to love us and to walk beside us. Have you answered that call to come and follow Him? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? If so, know this. He loves you with an everlasting love. [bctt tweet=”God knows right where you are & His plan for you is a perfect plan to bring you into His Joy.”]
What amazing story of grace would you want to share today? Click here to comment.
The song I chose for you today is God I look to You
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below. If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you. Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait? An idea for a book cover? Or a new logo? Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.