Watchman: Daily Devotional,Looking for the Truth (Bartholomew). Matthew 10:3 Mentions “Bartholomew [Nathanael]” Among the Twelve Apostles. God Is Aware of Your Sincerity and Will Honor Your Pursuit of Truth

Daily Devotional:

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Jesus knew that despite Nathanael's prejudice, he was an honest, sincere, Jewish believer who lacked religious hypocrisy or deceit (John 1:47). He sincerely sought God and anticipated the coming of the Messiah.

Jesus knew that despite Nathanael's prejudice, he was an honest, sincere, Jewish believer who lacked religious hypocrisy or deceit (John 1:47). He sincerely sought God and anticipated the coming of the Messiah.

In Jesus' day, the majority of Jewish people believed that every circumcised descendant of Abraham was a true Jew and beneficiary of the Abrahamic covenant. In Romans 2:28–29, however, Paul explains that salvation is a matter of the heart and not of national origin: "He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh." But he is a Jew if he is one on the inside, and circumcision is a matter of the heart." Nathanael was this type of man.

Because they had never met, he was taken aback when Jesus described him as "an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit" (John 1:47). He was equally surprised when Jesus claimed to have seen him beneath a fig tree, as Jesus was nowhere near the tree. Nathanael realized immediately that Jesus was all-knowing; He knew everything. Because of this, he exclaimed, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel" (v. 49). He had discovered the Messiah he had sought for so long!

Significant is the Lord's mention of the fig tree. Fig trees were a common source of shade and outdoor shelter in that region. Numerous houses in Palestine had only one room, so fig trees served as solitary places for prayer and Scripture study. Quite possibly, Nathanael was searching the Scriptures and conversing with God under the fig tree when Jesus observed his open heart and desire to find the Messiah. Jesus answered Nathanael's prayer personally.

When Jesus looks into your heart, does He find a genuine believer devoid of hypocrisy? Nathanael was not perfect, but he loved God and studied the Bible diligently. The Lord performed great deeds through him. I hope the same is true of you.

Suggestions for Prayer

Request the Holy Spirit to reveal and eradicate any hypocrisy you may harbor.
Request that God expand your desire and capacity to know and love Him.

For Further Research

Romans 12:1-2 should be memorized as a defense against hypocrisy.

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