1. One Christmas season, a 90-year-old lady decided buying presents was a bit much, so she chose to write checks for her family and friends and include them with her Christmas cards. She wrote out her Christmas cards and put "Buy your own present" after her name, then sent them off. But after the Christmas festivities were over, she found the checks in her desk! Everyone received a Christmas card from her with "Buy your own present" written inside, but without the checks!
2. We all like gifts, and the greatest gift God has given is Jesus. According to John 3:16, giving Jesus is the epitome of His love for us.
3. Nathanael (Gift of God) had the privilege of meeting Jesus (God’s Gift) in person in John 1:43-51.
I. Bible Knowledge Apart from God’s Presence Puffs Up (1 Corinthians 8:1, John 1:46-48)
A. Nathanael was a Devoted Bible Student
1. Galilee was the “Ivy League” for Rabbis and Wannabe Rabbis
2. Nathanael studied under the fig tree – a rabbi’s study hall, The Jews’ high view of studying with a rabbi from their writings:
• Yose ben Yoezer used to say: let thy house be a house of meeting for the Sages and sit in the very dust of their feet, and drink in their words with thirst. Pirkei Avot 1:4
• Shammai used to say: make your [study of the] Torah a fixed practice; speak little, but do much; and receive all men with a pleasant countenance. Pirkei Avot 1:15
B. Nazareth was a No Name Town
1. Mary’s hometown
2. Nathanael knew there were no prophecies about Nazareth like Bethlehem
3. The closest is the “Netzer” or “branch” from Isaiah 11:1
C. Nathanel’s Inspection of Jesus Revealed Jesus’ Examination of Him
1. Seeing Jesus dispels doubt (as with Thomas)
2. Jesus revealed His knowledge of Nathanael – studying under the fig tree AND the text – John 1:51 implies he was studying Jacob and his ladder in Genesis 28.
II. Being Known by Christ Brings Humility (John 1:47-51)
A. Jesus Saw an Honorable Hebrew
1. “No deceit.”
2. Genuine with a change of heart as he encountered the Lord
B. Jesus Saw His Heart for the Torah – “Fig Tree”
1. Jews usually study in pairs or groups
“When two sit together and words of Torah pass between them, the Divine Presence rests between them” Mishnah Avot 3:3
Compare: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).
2. Study is the “highest form of worship” to practicing Jews – Jesus is present.
C. When We Study, We Think We Are Examining Them for Our Approval
1. God is examining us with the scriptures. He sees us as we are, even if we forget (James 1:23).
2. Nathanael went from skeptic to supporter – “Son of God” and “King of Israel”
3. Greater things were coming.
III. Applying the Scriptures Brings Satisfaction
A. Applying the Scriptures Starts with Preparation – Ezra 7:10
B. Jesus Called Nathanael an “Israelite”
1. Reference to their ancestor Jacob and his struggle with the angel of the Lord
2. The ability to change to follow God
3. “Israel” is “God Prevails” or “God’s Prince.” Jacob went from a supplanter to God’s man.
1. We can wrestle with God as we study the text and in our prayers. Jesus did in Gethsemane.
2. We can know the words of the text, and they know us. They are the sharp inward-cutting sword – Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16
3. Pilate thought he was examining Jesus, but Jesus examined him and found him wanting.
a. Pilate was the tormented Roman Governor and politician
b. Jesus was the King of Israel
4. We can see ourselves as God sees us if we honestly look at the text.
