Skeptic’s Confession

John 1:43-51

“...under the fig tree, I saw you.” (v 48)

Nathanael trudged along behind his friend Phillip. Philip had begged Nathanael to meet a man named Jesus whom Philip believed was the Messiah. Nathanael didn’t believe for a minute the man could be the Messiah. After all, he was from Nazareth! Nathanael wished Philip would use more logic before making decisions. His jaw tightened with irritation.

They approached a group of people standing near the side of the road. One man separated himself from the others and watched Nathanael and Philip approach. Nathanael guessed this ordinary-looking individual was Jesus. Nothing about him stood out. Nathanael shook his head. ‘How could Philip be so taken in?’ he wondered.

Then Jesus called out to Nathanael, “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is no guile!” (v 47) Nathanael’s footsteps faltered. “How do you know me?” he asked. Jesus said that before Philip had called him, He had seen Nathanael under the fig tree (v 48).

Nathanael was taken aback. Jesus’ statement confounded reason, which Nathanael lived by. Then Nathanael did something out of character. He confessed Jesus as the Messiah (v 49).

Is something in your character-- skepticism, distrust, arrogance-- keeping you from believing in Jesus? Jesus knows and understands you. Give Him your heart and He will bring meaning into your life.

PRAYER: O Creator, thank you for loving me in spite of my faults. I will trust you. Amen.


Kayleen Reusser
www.KayleenR.com

In the Midst of Fear

Several years ago, while backpacking alone through Europe, my friend Sharon, an American, had to board a boat in Northern Ireland that would take her to Scotland.

Hostile glances from the other passengers came her way as she stood in line to pay her fare.

Sharon realized that, because she was a stranger and traveling by herself, the people in the war-torn country saw her as a threat. For the first time on her 21-day journey, she began to feel afraid.

An urgent plea was sent heavenward. “Lord, please take care of me in this place full of strangers. Show me You are beside me, watching over me.’

It came time to pay her fare. “Where’re you headed, Miss?” the white-haired captain asked.

“Scotland,” she replied.

“That would be the third stop for you, Miss.” Sharon nodded and moved to the side.

Once at sea, the boat’s engine made a deep chug-chugging sound that filled the air around them and carried out over the waves. Even so, the captain’s deep voice could be heard clearly above the noise: “If you’re a-wantin’ Scotland, it’s the third stop. Ya’ don’t be a-wantin’ the first or second stop, but the third stop for Scotland.”

Every few minutes, he repeated the announcement, looking around at all the passengers and smiling in a friendly manner.

After two or three similar announcements, Sharon caught on. As the only American on board, she was obviously the only one who needed a reminder. She tried to maintain an outward look of calm, even though her nerves felt frayed. Would the other passengers grow angry with the captain’ attention?

When she took a look around, the faces of the crowd surprised her. Instead of frowns, people now smiled at her, albeit indulgently. A few people chuckled aloud as they swiveled their heads between her and the captain.

Sharon relaxed, more relieved than she wanted to admit, that the earlier tension was gone, dissolved under the captain’s care.

Once the boat arrived in Scotland, Sharon gathered her belongings and stood in line to disembark. When it came time to do so, she thanked the elderly captain for his help. His ruddy face revealed gentle understanding as he wished her a safe trip.

Sharon also thanked God or His help; she would never again doubt His care for her in a tension-filled situation.


“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”- 1 John 4:16

Kayleen Reusser
www.KayleenR.com