Loving God, you know us better than we know ourselves, and invite us into life in all its fulness.  Renew us in your love this day, and empower us for life in your service, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

           In today’s gospel we hear about some conversations that took place between Philip and Nathanael and Jesus.  However, as is true with many stories that we find in the gospels, this is the condensed version of what actually happened.  A case in point is the exchange between Jesus and Nathanael, where Jesus says, “I saw you under the fig tree,” and Nathanael exclaims that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel (Jn. 1:48-49).  We don’t seem to have all of the information as to how Nathanael would come to such a conclusion.  This is where a series like The Chosen can be helpful, as it seeks to provide some of the back story for both Philip and Nathanael.

         In The Chosen, Nathanael is an architect whose career is in ruins.  A building that he had designed has just collapsed during its construction, and Nathanael is blamed for it.  When he sits down under the fig tree, he is in total despair, and cries out to God in lament.  He burns all of his architectural drawings – his hopes and dreams – and puts the ashes on his head in sorrow.  One of the things that he says to God as he continues his lament is this: “Do you even see me?”

         Later, when Philip comes and visits his friend Nathanael, Nathanael is so depressed that he hasn’t even gotten out of bed.  As their conversation progresses, Philip tells Nathanael about Jesus, and invites him to come and see.  Nathanael, of course, is skeptical, given that Jesus comes from Nazareth, but he does go outside with Philip.  This is where the rest of the conversation takes place, as Jesus looks at Nathanael with compassion and assures him that he saw him under the fig tree.

         More is going on here than a simple, didn’t I see you the other day?  Jesus sees, not just Nathanael’s outside, but what is going on inside – his hopes and dreams and sorrows and distress.  It is reminiscent of how God sometimes sees people in the Old Testament – for example, seeing Hagar in her distress, or seeing David’s heart rather than his outward appearance (Gen. 16 & 21; 1 Sam. 16:7).  When Jesus looks at people, he truly sees them, just as he sees each one of us.

         It seems to be a common theme among people with disabilities, or people who are down and out, or people who are excluded for various reasons, that others tend to look right past them as if they are invisible.  Often, we avoid making eye contact, or even speaking to certain people, as if we are afraid of what might happen if we engage with them.  However, those are the very people that Jesus sought out, and made a point of speaking to them and knowing them.  And, in many cases, these are also the people who were called by Jesus to come and follow him.

         For those who were called by Jesus during his life on this earth, following him meant leaving everything behind in order to travel around with him and learn from him – something that most of us have a hard time imagining for ourselves.  They left behind their homes, their families, and their occupations – all in order to learn from Jesus and to encounter God through him.  And, for many of them, Jesus was the one person who truly “saw” them.

         The thing is, though, that Jesus continues to call people to come and follow him – including us!  We are still being called by the one who truly sees us.  We are still being called to come and learn from Jesus.  We are still being called to a different way of life in which all people are valued and respected, and Jesus is the one who directs us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

         These days, of course, learning from Jesus happens through worshiping together, studying together, listening to the Scriptures, and learning from others who follow Jesus.  It is also true that the invitation to “come and see” continues to be a good one.  Philip could have argued with Nathanael when he asked if anything good could come out of Nazareth – but he didn’t.  Instead, he offered the simplest of invitations – come and see – an invitation that is still good for those who have their doubts.

         Over the next few weeks, as Jesus is revealed to more and more people, we will continue to hear the call to come and follow him.  We will also be reminded of Jesus’ power to heal and his power over evil.  Today, though, we are reminded that God’s call comes to people of all ages, whom God already knows by name.  We are also reminded, not only to invite others to come and see, but that Jesus also invites and calls us to follow him.  Thanks be to God for Jesus, who truly sees us, knows us, loves and saves us – and all for the sake of the world God loves.  Amen.

Epiphany 2(B)                                  John 1:43-51

January 14, 2024

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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