Keep It Real - Nathanael

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

John 1:47-48

Years before he became the twenty-sixth president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt worked as a rancher in North Dakota. One day, he and one of his hired hands lassoed a steer that lacked a brand. As the cowpoke prepared to brand the animal, Roosevelt stopped him.

“Wait, it should be Lang’s brand,” he said, referring to his neighbor. Gregor Lang owned the property they were using that day.

“That’s all right, boss,” the cowboy replied before applying Roosevelt’s brand.

“Drop that iron, get back to the ranch, and get out,” Roosevelt demanded. “I don’t need you anymore. A man who will steal for me will steal from me.”

The Bible praises men of honesty who tell it like it is. Nathanael, one of Jesus’ disciples, was that kind of man. He didn’t worry about conventions or propriety of speech. When his friend Philip told him he had met the Messiah, a prophet from Nazareth, Nathanael replied, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

Way to go, Nate! Philip must have thought. I offer to introduce you to our Messiah, and you insult his hometown!

Nathanael’s words dripped with skepticism, and even sarcasm, but they demonstrated a character trait that appealed to Jesus, who seemed to genuinely like Nathanael as soon as he saw him.

What Jesus liked so much about Nathanael was his honesty and integrity!

Nathanael may have been a little rough around the edges when he first met Jesus, but with the polish and refinement Jesus gave him over the next three years, he became a man who made a difference for God’s Kingdom.

God blesses you when you speak to him and to others with honesty and integrity—and when you are real with him about who you are, what you think, what you struggle with, and what you need.