Nathanael lay on his back, a hand extended, fingers reaching for the leaves, rerouting sun and shadows. He was dizzy with melancholy. He’d been there most of the day already, and he didn’t plan on leaving any time soon. He was sick of the tension at home, the zeal, the violence; their righteous chants reverberated with bloodlust.
Not here. Under the foliage, Nathanael found answers. He focused his mind on the words of the prophets: “…my servant the Branch…in that day…every one of you…”
Cryptic, perhaps, but his mind relished the puzzles. His heart resonated with the imagery of people at peace. Sure, Israel had seen its share of battle, sanctioned by Scripture, holy men, and God himself. Certainly, throughout history there have been times meant for war…
“And times meant for peace,” Nathanael whispered, turning his hand over and over in the sprinkled daylight. “What else should we hope for in the end?”
Suddenly, he heard a rustling of branches, and Philip tripped unceremoniously into his sanctuary.
“Philip, what’s the deal!” Nathanael muttered, exasperated.
“The Christ. Nate. The Messiah. We’ve found him.”
Nathanael straightened his back and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked at Philip intently, searching for the telltale signs of the contagion of power.
“The Messiah! Tell me, who? How?” Of course, he thought, beginning his own introduction, this man will be the latest and greatest warrior king. His popularity tied up intimately with his pride. His anger seething, impatient…
“Jesus of Nazareth!!”
Nathanael caught his breath. He’d heard whispers of this new rabbi. But this wasn’t the time to jump headlong into rebellion. Too many were talking of Barabbas, ancient monarchy, manifest destiny. And yet…the Branch?
“Nazareth…can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael watched Philip’s eyes. Did he remember too?
Philip smiled knowingly. “Come and see.” He reached out his hand.
The friends were laughing at Andrew’s latest tale of Peter’s childhood adventures. Peter chuckled and lifted his wine in recognition. “That’s all in the past now, Andrew. I’ve grown older and wiser.”
“Older, certainly, but wiser…” Andrew shrugged and lifted his hands in comedic resignation.
Peter raised his eyebrows. “Hey, some guys follow blindly. I’ll make my own mistakes.”
Jesus stood, chuckling. “Well, keep up the good work.” That made Andrew choke on his food, and Peter took the opportunity to pummel his brother’s back. Jesus stretched and watched the two figures shimmering on the horizon. He tapped Peter’s shoulder and gestured, indicating he would be going out to meet the travelers. Peter winked and continued to give Andrew his brotherly massage. Jesus walked toward Philip and Nathanael, he could make out their faces now, and he waved. And he prayed, as always.
“Rabbi!” shouted Philip, and he cut the distance between them, running and dragging Nathanael the final steps. Jesus could see Nathanael’s hesitation; he could also see his sincerity.
“Look at this! Philip, thank you. You’ve invited the best of the best: a true Israelite – one who has no appetite for treachery.”
Nathanael aimed his measured gaze at the man in front of him. My servant…
Almost a coincidence? He doubted that this new rabbi, this wannabe Messiah would care much for the prophets or their sacred wordplay. But something in his face, his posture, his hands…
“Where have you seen me before?” And do you know the puzzles?
Jesus nodded and pointed into the distance. “Before Philip invited you here, I saw you sitting under the fig tree – though not yet one of your very own.”
Nathanael nearly dropped to his knees. Can he see through time? Did he read my mind? Every one of you…invited, under fig trees. Creative wordplay and prophecy. This was an entirely different Messiah than the self-anointed of recent days. This was not a man consumed with thoughts of the glory days of conquest; this was something new. This was a man of supernatural insight and imagination. If anything, at least this much was clear already: he knew the subtle promises of the prophets. And if anyone should know, it would be…
“Rabbi…you are the One!” Nathanael declared, hardly daring to believe his own words, but longing, oh yes, yearning.
“Oh, you liked that thing I did there with the fig tree?” Jesus laughed, and Nathanael’s heart exploded. “You’ll see much more than that, Israel. Remember Bethel? There’s a new Bethel. Here. Now. Happening. Remember Daniel’s prophetic apocalypse? The Son of Man is opening The Way.”
And Nathanael really did drop to his knees that time – or, he would have if Jesus and Philip hadn’t caught him.
John 1:43-51 • 1 Kings 4:25 • Micah 4:4 • Zechariah 3:8-10