Have you ever flipped in your perspective?
What do I mean by that?

You may be familiar with the movie Toy Story. Toys come alive; especially, the main characters of Sheriff Woody and Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear. As the plot unfolds, Woody finds it within himself to allow another toy the top spot, while Buzz discovers he’s not really a Space Ranger, but a boy’s toy. Both of them flipped in their perspectives.

The same thing happened to Jesus’ soon-to-be disciple, Nathanael (who also went by Bartholomew). Nathanael first STOOD BACK. Then he’s TAKEN ABACK. Only to be led by the Holy Spirit to ANSWER BACK. His flipped perspective is meant to echo our own.

At first, Nathanael STOOD BACK when he first heard where Jesus was from. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? (John 1:46)” There is no mention of Nazareth with regard to the One promised in the law of Moses and the prophets, so how can the “good” Messiah
(the Christ) come from there?
This is when Nathanael is TAKEN ABACK. He’s caught off guard and amazed in how Jesus commended him in saying: “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit! (John 1:47)” Jesus saw how Nathanael was sincere in clinging to Israel’s hope and salvation by a Messiah. He was so sincere, in fact, he willingly acted against his own doubt and complied with Philip’s invitation to “come and see.”

TAKEN ABACK he responds: “How do you know me?” Only to hear Jesus say, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. (John 1:48)” Jesus taps into the very centre of his desire and hope.

And, it has something to do with a fig tree. A personal insight where Jesus reached into Nathanael’s inmost soul when under that fig tree. Jesus identified with whatever consumed Nathanael’s thoughts, while revealing His omniscience – in knowing everything.

The fig tree was also connected to the coming Messianic era. From the prophet Micah we hear: “Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own FIG TREE, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken. (Micah 4:4)” Nathanael was awaiting that day, and now realized that Jesus saw into these innermost longings, and saw it as a divine sign.

This ushers in the climax of his changed perspective to ANSWER BACK. “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! (John 1:49)”

Nathanael’s doubt is swallowed up in greater light and faith. Jesus is Rabbi; He is now his teacher. Jesus is the Son of God; the personification of Israel. Where God’s people fell short and sinned, Jesus would redeem – baptized in the place of sinners. Jesus is King of Israel; Nathanael pays Him acclaim and honor. If Jesus is his King that makes him His servant.

As with Nathanael, do we mimic his changed perspective? Doubt causes us to STAND BACK. Things happen that disturb our resolve and conviction in following Jesus.

But into those dark moments, Jesus still speaks in saying, “I saw you.” TAKEN ABACK, “Lord, you have searched me and you know me. (Ps 139:1)” He is familiar with all your ways. Jesus is still all-knowing. There is no place, no time, when you are distant from the Spirit, nor away from His presence. In the darkness of doubt, in the darkness of hurt, in the darkness of your personal dismay – it is as light to Him.

We, then, ANSWER BACK. Lord Jesus, You are my rabbi, my teacher, to be led by Your word to shine for you. You are the Son of God. You were not willing to stand back and watch me perish, but you rescued and redeemed me from the weight and curse of my sin. You are my ascended God and King, who gave Your life for me. I will then submit to your will. I love you and will obey what you command (John 14:15). •
— By Pastor Neil Stern
Grace Lutheran Church,
Edmonton AB