Jacob deceived his father in order to receive the birthright. He deceived his uncle Laban in escaping after managing to have Laban’s sheep bear spotted or speckled young. He deceived his brother Esau on Jacob’s return and went in the opposite direction from the one they had agreed upon. Deceit was almost characteristic of Jacob, except in his relationship with God. Jacob became “Israel.”

When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said of him, “This is a true Israelite, in whom is no deceit.. . . Jesus said,You believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than this. I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. (John 1:47)

More than any other disciple, Nathaniel was identified by Jesus, with the patriarch most known for being a trickster. Jesus, however, saw in Nathaniel, the exact opposite: a man without guile. Jesus actually places himself in Jacob’s place when Jesus describes the ladder of angels ascending and descending upon himself.

I believe that Jesus saw in Nathaniel the new Israel, the redeemed nation,

even before his own death and resurrection. He saw a cleansed nation, and a people who could openly receive the Spirit of God into their lives. This encounter with Nathaniel is a window into Jesus’ understanding of his task on earth and beyond. Nathaniel exhibited the simplicity that made it possible for him to exclaim, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49)

The gift of Jesus, the “son of Man.” is an immeasurable gift. In almost every verse of the Gospels he provides a window into the other world of human life, a life He bridges to the God of all creation. This whole incident reveals much about the human heart as well as the heart of God in Christ. Clearly the people that Jesus addressed were hungry for the appearance of the Messiah; clearly these are Jesus’ chosen ones, because they believed in Jesus as a representative of God Himself. The twelve that Jesus chose almost recognized God in Jesus. True “Israelites” still recognize Him today.

Love in Him,

Prue