Are there some things in your life that you would like to think could be kept secret? Perhaps you would not be happy for even your friends to know about certain things!
How would you like to meet someone who could tell you details about your life that you thought were secret? Perhaps you would rather avoid such a person; or would you be wanting to try to bribe him not to expose your secrets?
Let me tell you the short true story about Nathanael who met such a person, and of his reaction.
One day you will come face to face with the Person who knows your every secret. Will you be able to feel the same as Nathanael did?
When Philip was called by Jesus to be His follower he quickly wanted to share his great discovery. (verse 43.) He "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.'
'Nazareth! Can any good come from there?' Nathanael asked.
'Come and see,' said Philip." (verses 45-46.)
Philip was right about most of what he said about Jesus. Jesus was the One Moses had said God would send - the One God had said we should be ready to listen to and obey. (Deuteronomy 18:18-19. John 5:47-47.) It was also true that Jesus was the One the prophets had said would come as the Saviour for mankind. (see Acts 10:42-43. Luke 24:44-47.) Jesus of Nazareth truly was the One God promised as Leader and Saviour. (Acts 5:29-32.)
But Philip had made one mistake which Nathanael soon put right!
"When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, 'Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.' ‘How do you know me?' Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.'" (verses 47-48.)
How could Jesus have seen where and when Philip met and spoke with Nathanael? How did Jesus know about Nathanael's character? Nathanael realised that Jesus wasn't a "son of Joseph", surely He was the all-seeing God. He declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel." (verse 49.)
Nathanael was ready to accept Jesus as his King; he was ready to have Jesus rule over his life.
ARE YOU? Do you want to have Jesus as King in your life realizing that NOTHING can be hidden from Him! You will have to be willing to turn away from any religious pretence of your own goodness. The all-seeing God knows all your sinfulness; yet He is ready and willing to forgive all your sins if you repent and trust in Jesus as Saviour. (Acts 3:18-19. 19:4.)
To repent means to be willing and ready to turn away from sin.
I hope YOU will want to trust Jesus to forgive you and to get you to turn away from sinful living. (Acts 3:26. 5:31.) If you do you will be showing that you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Leader and Saviour that God promised to send. (John 3:16-19.)
Then you will NOT go on living your life in fear and dread of the all-seeing God; rather you will live to love and obey Jesus as your Saviour and King.
Read of Nathanael recognising Jesus as King in John's Gospel chapter 1, verses 43-51.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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