Click here to read:   John 1:45-51

Jesus did incredible things while on earth. Miracles and signs were avenues to point people to the truth. John 2:23 “Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.”

For Nathan the fact that Jesus knew what he was doing before Jesus came on the scene was incredible. It was a sign to him that He must be the son of God. Nathan was given the invitation by Philip, but he wasn’t interested. He had no personal desire to investigate who Jesus was because of his prejudice. No good could come from Nazareth. He didn’t think God could use anyone from a rural hick town to be the Messiah.

Jesus wanted him on His team. He told Nathanael what He knew about his character, that he is a man of integrity. He could be trusted. He was loyal. When Nathan wondered how Jesus knew him, Jesus revealed to Nathanael something no one else could have known. That was the key to making him become a follower. Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, You are the son of God, you are the King of Israel.” I am sure there was something going on under that tree that pointed to the righteous character of Nathanael that no one else could have known.

In John Wimber’s book, ‘Power Evangelism’, he tells the incredible story of while a passenger on an airplane ride. The Spirit of God impressed on Wimber to witness to his seat mate “What should I talk to him about?” He prayed. The Sprit impressed on his mind the word adultery. He Looked that man and it seemed the Spirit was giving him the name “Jane”. John thought that would be crazy to begin a conversation about God telling him he was an adulterer with someone named Jane. So, he remained quiet looking at the man.

The man in a gruff and unpleasant manner asked “What are you looking at? Is there something bothering you? John Wimber replied, somewhat apologetically, “Does the name of Jane mean anything to you?”

That man turned white and asked him to go with him to another part of the plane where they could talk more privately. “Who told you about Jane?” Wimber looked blankly and shrugged, “God told me. God told me you are having an adulterous affair with Jane.”

Incredible! Only God would know. The conviction of the Spirit on his life made him cry out to God. His wife was seated next to him, which is why he wanted to move. The result after many tears and confession Wimber led them both to the Lord and got them involved in counseling.           

I believe in the God who can confront people with the incredible and in so doing they experience God.  There is a time when the signs have done their job - pointing people to trust in Christ, then they don’t need the signs anymore. They have found their treasure in Him.

Prayer:  Father, You know everything about  me, yet You love me.  Help me to do like Nathaniel and declare to the world that You are the Son of God, the Savior.