TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” John 1:48
Read: John 1:43-45
Listen: John 1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist and begins to gather his disciples. Jesus asks Philip to follow him. Philip goes and grabs a friend, Nathanael, to tell him about Jesus. Nathanael is a bit skeptical. But Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus shows him that Jesus knows him. Jesus recognizes the character of Nathanael, but there’s more. Jesus mentions a moment under a fig tree. We don’t know what Jesus is referring to, but Nathanael did. Nathanael understands Jesus knows him in such a way that only the Son of God could know him. It’s an intimate moment. Jesus says that Nathanael will see greater things, including that Jesus is the space between heaven and earth.
Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree, and he sees us in significant moments. He sees us in those moments when we aren’t sure what to do. He hears us when we cry out to him because of the hurt in the world. He knows what we are thinking when we can’t even express what is going on in our hearts. Jesus loves us and, through his death on the cross, creates a way for us to relate to God. It’s amazing to think that God knows us, loves us and wants us. Like Nathanael, when we realize this is true about God, the proper response is to follow and give ourselves to him.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Choose to follow Jesus. If you’ve never made the decision to follow Jesus before, make today that day. It’s as simple as admitting that your way in life isn’t working, believing that Jesus is the way to real life and choosing to follow him. If you’ve made the decision in the past, ask yourself if you’re really following or not. Choose to renew your commitment to follow the God who sees you, knows you and loves you. Join the Ada Bible Worship team in worshiping through the song House of the Lord. Take heart in the lyrics, “We are forgiven, accepted, redeemed by his grace.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
PHILIPPIANS 4:5b–7
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
