Nathanael Series

NATHANAEL

John 1:43-51

#John1

INTRODUCTION… https://playback.fm/people/first-name/nathaniel

Nathaniel Hawthorne is perhaps the most famous person named Nathaniel. He was an American novelist who wrote the “Scarlet Letter” that you probably read in school.

Nathaniel Adams Coles otherwise known as Nat King Cole was a famous American singer and jazz pianist. He acted in film, TV, broadway, and was the first African American to host a TV series. His daughter re-released a duet with him after his death in 1991 called ‘Unforgettable’ which through technology allowed them to sing together.

Nathaniel P. Banks was a professional politician and a Union General during the Civil War. He began as General over West Point and was the first professional politician to be governor of Massachusetts.

Nathaniel Lord Britton was an American botanist who founded the New York Botanical Garden.

Nathaniel Dwayne Hale otherwise known as Nate Dogg was Snoop Dogg’s cousin and a rapper. You might dismiss him because he was a rapper, but he also was an honorably discharged US Marine and his dad was a minister.

Nathaniel Thomas Wilson otherwise known as Kool G Rap is an American rapper from Queens, New York. Kool G Rap is known for his rapid fire multisyllabic rhymes which influenced most rappers who came after him.

These are some famous and influential Nathaniels. My favorite “Nathanael” is my son of course. The name “Nathanael” … notice the original Hebrew spelling… is a name that means “God has given.” Nathanael from Cana in Galilee was one of the first disciples of Jesus Christ and is mentioned here in John 1 and then again in John 21. He has another name he went by… Bartholomew.

We have been in John 1 since the beginning of the year. We have been inching our way forward through this very rich and deep passage of Scripture. We come to the end of our John 1 journey today as we focus on the calling of Nathanael.

John 1 introduces us to Jesus as the Son of God.

John 1 introduces us to John the Baptist who points out Jesus as the Savior.

John 1 introduces us to Andrew and Peter, the first disciples of Jesus.

John 1, now in its last verses, introduces us to Philip… and more importantly Nathanael… our focus.

READ John 1:43-51

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 is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." 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." 50 Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." 51 He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

So, Nathanael is mentioned 6 times in the Bible. 5 of those times is right here in John 1. What can we tell about this man and what can he teach us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” So let’s dig into this Scripture and see what God teaches us and equips us.

We are going to find 2 important lessons and challenges for us from this passage about Nathanael:

Nathanael was a man of truth.

Nathanael was a man of prayer and devoted to God.

NATHANAEL WAS A MAN OF TRUTH (VERSE 47)

One of the first things I notice about Nathanael is the thing that Jesus mentions about him. Nathanael was a man who was sincere and truthful in his opinions. He mentions in verse 46 that nothing good could come from Nazareth. Nazareth was a small backwater town with not much too it. I can imagine that Jesus thought… well… you aren’t wrong about that. Perhaps be a little more tactful, but you aren’t wrong about that. Nazareth is pretty much famous for being Jesus’ hometown and that is about it.

Jesus says about Nathanael that he is a true Israelite in whom there is nothing false. Jesus prized that Nathanael was a man of truth. God is truth. God wants His people who claim to be His to be people of truth.