I’ll believe it when I see it. Have you ever said that? Someone tries to convince you of something that doesn’t sound true. Not until you see it with your own eyes will you believe it.
Philip excitedly told his friend, Nathanael,
“We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” (John 1:45)
But Nathanael smirked with scepticism, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (1:46).
For Nathanael, the promised King of Israel coming from a backwater town like Nazareth couldn’t be true. I’ll believe it when I see it, he was saying.
So, Philip obliged. “Come and see for yourself,” he said with a smile (1:46).
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching Him, Jesus declared, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity” (1:47).
Nathanael was taken aback. “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked (1:48), curious but guarded.
“Can I Trust You?”
Nathanael’s question expressed a normal reaction toward people we don’t know. Suppose a stranger came up to you with personal information about you. How would you react? Your guard would be up too.
You’d wonder about his or her true motives. Is this person trying to be nice to get something from you?
Nathanael was having trust issues—rightly so! He didn’t know Jesus enough to believe Him . . . yet. He needed proof of authenticity. He wanted to know whether Jesus was real or fake, genuine or imitation, legitimate or just another pretender. He was asking Jesus what we all ask Jesus at certain points in our lives: Can I trust you?
Jesus Is Who He Says He Is
Jesus was glad to give cautious Nathanael the proof he needed. He replied to him, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you” (John 1:48).
Nathanael was convinced. Only someone from God could know about Nathanael’s time alone. What was Nathanael doing under the fig tree?
Perhaps he went to this lonely spot to pour out his heart in prayer. Was he wrestling with doubts about God? Was he pleading with God to relieve his suffering and his people’s suffering? Did God care?
Perhaps he was in emotional turmoil and escaped to be alone in his grief—like runaway Hagar alone in the wilderness. Jesus seeing Nathanael under the fig tree may have been like God seeing Hagar in her distress and blessing her. She cried out with joy, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” (Genesis 16:13).
Nathanael’s heart burst with the same realisation—he was looking into the face of God, “the One who sees me.” Jesus must be who He says He is!
Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” (John 1:49).
Jesus and You Under the Fig Tree
Does Jesus see you under your fig tree of doubt or suffering or grief?
No one else sees these private moments, not even your closest family members or friends. But Jesus sees you and comes near.
Still, you may wonder whether you can trust Him.
Like Nathanael, do you need evidence of Jesus’ authenticity, proof that He is who He says He is, that He sees you, and that He cares?
Nathanael couldn’t believe Jesus until he experienced firsthand Jesus’ personal connection with him. Nathanael’s encounter models a few tips for deepening your trust by spending time with Jesus.
- Ask Jesus any question on your heart. Nathanael asked, “How do you know about me?” What’s your question? It’s okay to bare your soul. Jesus invites your doubts, your fears, your honest feelings.
- Listen for Jesus’ answer through His Word. Open your Bible and read a passage. Ask the Lord to reveal a truth about Himself. Find a Bible character you can relate to. Let Jesus’ own words comfort and bless you.
- Spend time with Jesus under your fig tree. Your “fig tree” is any place where you can be alone experiencing a personal connection with your Saviour who “sees you.” It may be in your car on your daily commute. On a walk in the woods by a stream. On the porch rocking chair. In a nook at the local coffee shop.
In the end, Nathanael’s I’ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it attitude was transformed. He believed in Jesus, not because he saw Jesus . . . but because he realised Jesus saw him! Your Saviour sees you too. He is with you, and He cares.
Spend Time with Jesus Through the Psalms: A 30–Day Bible-Reading Plan to Express Your Feelings and Prayers
Lord, You Are My Protector |
|
|---|---|
| You are my shield. | Psalm 3:1–6 |
| You keep me safe. | Matthew 9:35–38 |
| You are my rock. | Psalm 18:1–3 |
| You are my fortress. | Psalm 31:1–5 |
| You are my help. | Psalm 33:20–22 |
| You are my refuge. | Psalm 46:1–3 |
| You rescue me. | Psalm 91:14–16 |
| You watch over me. | Psalm 121:3–8 |
| You hold me and lead me. | Psalm 139:7–12 |
| You are my tower of safety. | Psalm 144:1–2 |
Lord, You Hear My Cry |
|
| When I am discouraged. | Psalm 13:1–6 |
| When I am lonely. | Psalm 25:16–18 |
| When I am troubled. | Psalm 28:1–5 |
| When I pray for mercy. | Psalm 28:6–7 |
| When my heart is breaking. | Psalm 42:3–8 |
| When I am oppressed. | Psalm 43:1–4 |
| When I have sinned. | Psalm 51:1–15 |
| When I am afraid. | Psalm 56:1–4 |
| When I need strength. | Psalm 73:23–26 |
| When I am lost. | Psalm 119:169–176 |
Lord, I Praise You |
|
| For everlasting joy in heaven. | Psalm 16:7–11 |
| For satisfying all my needs. | Psalm 23:1–6 |
| For putting a song in my heart. | Psalm 40:1–3 |
| For giving me rest. | Psalm 62:1–8 |
| For loving me. | Psalm 63:1–8 |
| For making me feel secure. | Psalm 91:14–16 |
| For blessing me. | Psalm 103:1–5 |
| For being a faithful Father. | Psalm 103:11–18 |
| For redeeming me. | Psalm 107:1–9 |
| For giving me life. | Psalm 139:13–16 |
