LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Known in Advance
John 1:43-51.
After Philip had been drawn by the Lord to follow him, he found Nathanael. And he said to him: "We have found him of whom Moses wrote in the Law, the son of Joseph of Nazareth". Nathanael, being well versed in the Scriptures, answered him skeptically: "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?". Philip said to him, simply: "Come and see".
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him: "Behold, here is a true Israelite, in whom is no guile". Nathanael is surprised that the Lord bore witness to him before he met him. Then he asks him: "How do you know me?". The Lord answers him: "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you".
Here is something very interesting: Philip had called Nathanael, but the Lord knew him before Philip called him. The Lord had seen him before Philip, when he was under the fig tree. Philip was only the human instrument used to draw Nathanael; however, the eyes of the Lord had rested on him long before.
The Lord knew him and knew his circumstance. Nathanael means 'gift of God'. This man was therefore a gift of the Father to Jesus, so Jesus also rejoices in him (John 6:37; 10:29). Hearing him, Nathanael's heart overflowed with joy, and he said: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel". His heart had been completely filled.
Now, how did we come to know him? Did we come to Jesus because someone brought us to him? Those of us who are already with him, how did we come to be with him? The Lord saw us beforehand, and chose us. He touched the heart of Philip (whatever his name is in our particular case) to call us. In reality we are, like Nathanael, God's gifts to his Son.
The election of God's children is from the womb and, even more, from before the foundation of the world. Before God made the heavens and the earth, he already had them in his heart.
Many times in our walk with the Lord we will doubt our choice. We will think that it was we who offered ourselves, and that perhaps the Lord never called us. In our weakness we will think that we were not in his heart, that we are useless volunteers.
But then we must consider that if he called us, all is well. If it had been we who merely volunteered, then there would be no security. But if he knew us and called us, then everything changes. That is why it is good for us to hear the Lord say about us: "Before Philip called you, I saw you".