I Saw You - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
John 1:47-48

I Saw You
We find a beautiful commendation of Nathanael in these words of the Lord Jesus: "An Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Would we not also desire such a commendation from Him? Nathanael was puzzled, however, that the Lord spoke this way about him, as though He really knew him; and then the Lord said that He had seen Nathanael sitting under the fig tree. The fig tree was considered the place of prayer, and the Lord Jesus was the One to whom Nathanael had been praying. It is evident that Nathanael had been opening his heart and confessing his sins, for Jesus knew him and said that he was without deceit. He knows and sees us too—each one of us. "O Lord, You have searched me and known me and are acquainted with all my ways" (Ps. 139:. Let us pay close attention to the way Nathanael first gave Christ the honor of being the Son of God, and, since that is true, He is also the King of Israel. As the Son of God, He is entitled to the worship and adoration of our hearts. As the King of Israel, He is worthy of complete authority over that nation. But He is more than King of Israel; He is King of kings and Lord of lords! He is entitled to absolute authority over all creation.

May we gladly find it our deepest joy and delight to give Him praise and worship continually. May our hearts be drawn out to magnify Him as the eternal, living God and to lovingly obey Him as our sovereign Lord.

L. M. Grant