No 7

(Nathanael)

“..Thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel” John 1:49. Nathanael whose name is also Bartholomew spoke these words in his first encounter with Jesus. As it turns out, he became one of Jesus’ Apostles with his best friend, Phillip who had just told him in verse 45 “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” By the words Nathanael spoke, it is quite obvious that he knew about the Old Testament prophesies of a Saviour and was undoubtedly a student of Scripture.

His name means “God has given” and his Hebrew surname, Bartholomew means “Son of Tolmai” . Nathaniel had a pure heart because Jesus, on seeing him said “behold an Israelite in whom there is no guile!” (John 2:47b) To which he responded “Whence knowest thou me?” As if to say: “how do you know what is in my heart?” Nathanael realized then and there that he was in the presence of someone who was omniscient. Not much is known of Nathaniel in the Gospels but his eager faith and his sincerity of heart earned him a place in history next to Jesus. Everything he experienced with Christ without doubt made his faith stronger and his heart more sincere. Nathaniel is an example of how God can take an ordinary person from a most obscure place and use him to His glory.