Following a broadcast service one Sunday morning I received a telephone call from a man who was in a state of acute anxiety. His wife had admitted to having an infatuation for another man. As the story unfolded he told me how his wife's affair with the other man reached its climax when he was out of town on business. He had been vaguely aware of her attachment but felt that it was nothing more than the same kind of attraction he might have for a pretty girl at the office. Now, however, the truth was out. His wife had spent a weekend with this individual, and he was calling me to ask what he should do.

At the conclusion of some special meetings a lady came to speak to me about her son. I could see she was worried about him. She told me that he had been brought up in the Sunday School, had made a profession of salvation when he was twelve; and now that he had graduated from high school he was enrolled in the university. In spite of the fact that this was the first semester of his sophomore year his faith in the Word of God had been shaken. His professors had undermined his belief in the supernatural; and, because miracles could not be analysed in a test tube, he discredited everything that involved the miraculous. What hurt his mother most was the fact that he ridiculed the faith of his parents and doubted that the Word of God could be God's revelation to him. His mother's pastor had talked to him while he was home one week-end; but the pastor did not believe in the first eleven chapters of Genesis, nor in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and so was of no help. What now could be done to restore her son's faith in the Scriptures as the inspired revelation of God to man?

We live in a questioning age. Reason sits enthroned and youth is demanding rational proof for the things they are called upon to believe. Old standards are coming under fire, long-established traditions are being discarded, and the Bible appears to be out of date in today's fast-moving world where cars become old as soon as the ash-trays are full.

All of us are faced with questions for which we require answers. Questions arise when we are tempted to doubt God's providence. Questions come when reason strives with faith. Questions like: Why am I here? What is God's will for my life? Will I be an old maid? Does God really answer prayer? How may I obtain victory over sin? Where will I go when I die? These questions plague old and young alike. When we are faced with a sudden bereavement, the shattering of a cherished hope, the faithlessness of a friend, we all ask, Why? Why did God allow it to happen? Why must I suffer? What have I done to deserve this? And What shall I do now?

With advocates of the 'God is dead' theology undermining faith, and proponents of 'Situation ethics' undermining morals, additional questions are being foisted upon people: questions which force them to search for some absolute standard by which to solve the difficult problems of life. But where do we find this absolute standard which can give the solution to these perplexing problems? Where can a man whose wife has betrayed him find the answer to his questions? How may the aspiring student re-establish himself upon the impregnable rock of Holy Scripture? Where are we to go for help when we have problems? Is there any sure and certain guide in this world of change? The intelligentsia of today are undecided on foundational issues and cannot help us. Opinions of great and learned men differ. It is easy for them to foster an inquiring mind in their students, but it is a lot harder to provide them with absolutes by which to regulate their lives. Realising little or no help can be obtained from men of letters, and their advice, when given, is often contradictory, where can we go to find the answers to our problems?

To all who are searching for certainty and who earnestly desire to have their questions and problems answered, Nathanael stands out as an example from which we can draw much needed help and inspiration. Nathanael was a man who had his questions answered.

All of us can claim some knowledge of Nathanael, and nearly all could point to the first chapter of John's Gospel in which we are told how he came to Christ. Yet, for many, our knowledge of Nathanael ends just there. The incident recorded for us by John holds more than the mere facts of an interesting conversation. There is a distinct quality of character in Nathanael which should be in us, and in his disposi­tion we find the secret for having our own questions answered.

Nathanael, at first, was only a follower of the Lord Jesus; but later he was admitted to the Apostolic circle. We read of him only in John's Gospel, but he is commonly identified with Bartholomew, and it is highly probable that Bartholomew was his surname.

Bartholomew means 'son of Tolmai', and an interesting tradition which dates back to Jerome (4^th C.) suggests that Nathanael was of noble birth. In 2 Samuel 3:3 there is mention of Talmai, who was King of Geshur. Talmai had a daughter, Maacah, whom he gave in marriage to David. Maacah later became the mother of Absalom. It is from this reference in 2 Samuel that Jerome imagines Nathanael de­rived his royal lineage. This is only a tradition and does not have the support of Scripture in spite of the fact that Nathanael did have a princely bearing. His character and deportment came from a close walk with the Lord and not from any hereditary nobility which may have been his as a descendant of a king. Christ said of him that he was an 'Israelite indeed', a true 'prince with God', in whom was no guile (v. 47).

As we study the story of Nathanael let us notice first of all the person who desires to have his questions answered must be characterised by an open, honest disposition.

Our only intimation of Nathanael's character is to be found in the words of the Lord Jesus when He said that he was without guile. To be guileless means that there is no trickery, double-dealing or deceit lodging in the heart. It is to be of transparent character, without ulterior motives, a man of spotless integrity and unquestionable fidelity. How did Nathanael acquire this characteristic? What made him transparently honest?

From a careful study of this passage we conclude that Nathanael loved the Scriptures, for he was meditating on the significance of Jacob's vision of the ladder stretching up to heaven when Philip found him. In the days in which he lived people did not own Bibles but were taught the Old Testament by the Pharisees in the local synagogues. The Word of the Lord was memorized by Hebrew children so that extensive passages could be quoted verbatim. From what we learn of Nathanael his study of the Old Testament Scriptures must have led him to expect the Messiah of Israel to appear soon (cf. v. 45). This love for the Word and the ordering of his life by it produced in Nathanael a spirit of unquestioned integrity. He was transparently honest.

In addition, Nathanael was also a man of prayer who engaged in regular communion with God in the shade of a fig tree. We know this because Philip knew precisely where to find him at that particular time of day. Nathanael's life must have been well ordered for his friends to know of a habit such as this!

Is it any wonder that with his heart and mind filled with God's Word, God revealed Himself to Nathanael? Many of us do not hear God speaking to us because our hearts and minds are filled with other things. We have never taken time to meditate upon His Word, hide it in our hearts, and apply its truths to our lives. In the midst of an age of unprecedented activity, when many of us need to make time to spend in the Word and in His presence, Nathanael stands out as an example of what we should be!

While integrity is the first prerequisite to having one's questions answered, the second requirement is a willingness objectively to investigate the facts. This Nathanael was prepared to do! Let us consider his objectivity as we study the three questions recorded for us in this chapter. With bold strokes the writer paints the scene. It is filled with Philip's joy of conversion, his haste in seeking out Nathanael, and his excitement in telling him the good news. At the time Christ went into Galilee we read, 'He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me". Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip finds Nathanael and says to him, "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph"' (vv. 44-45).

Philip doubtless travelled the intervening miles between Bethsaida and Cana with the express purpose of telling his friend what had happened in his life. He had not been saved for very long, certainly not long enough to become acquainted with such truths as the Virgin Birth of Christ or the place in which Christ had been born. The idea uppermost in his mind was, 'The Messiah has come at last. I must tell Nathanael!' Philip knew where to find Nathanael, and when he saw him he hastily (and perhaps breathlessly) blurted out, 'We have found Him … Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph'. All the facts were packed into that one sentence.

Nathanael's first question⤒🔗

Nathanael must have been stunned on hearing such news. News of this nature would normally have thrilled his heart, for he had been expecting the Messiah for a long time, but from his knowledge of the Scriptures he knew that the Messiah must come from Bethlehem, not Nazareth. Noting the 'discrepancy' between Philip's statement and the testimony of Scripture caused Nathanael to be less enthusiastic than Philip would have expected, and he replied some­what coolly, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?'

It is just at this juncture that many commentators do Nathanael an injustice! They feel that he was filled with jealousy because of the rivalry which existed between the towns and villages of Galilee. They imagine that he contemptuously said, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' because he was filled with scorn at the very thought that Nazareth could spawn anything worthwhile.

Nazareth was a village in Galilee with a garrison of Roman soldiers nearby. As is always the case, where there is a camp of soldiers there are also the camp followers. There are merchants who seek to become rich because of the added trade, and there are girls of questionable virtue who will hire themselves out to any soldier who will pay the price. Nazareth was such a place and as a result it was held in contempt. In fact, to be called a 'Nazarene' was a term of utmost reproach. This historic fact throws light on the statement in Matthew's Gospel in which he tells us that Jesus 'came and dwelt in Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."' It was all part of His plan and purpose to identify Himself with our fallen humanity.

Nathanael knew that the Old Testament prophets had predicted that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem, the city of David. Nathanael knew too that Philip's state­ment was not in harmony with the testimony of the Scripture. There was one thing, however, which he could not deny and that was Philip's enthusiasm, for no one can be truly converted without experiencing the joy of sins for­given! Philip's conversion made him eager to share his newfound faith with others. There was an earnestness in his voice, an assurance in what he said, and a confidence in his manner which Nathanael knew had not been there before.

When Nathanael questioned Philip about Messiah's coming from Nazareth, Philip might have incited an argument, but he was tactful enough to refrain. He simply said, 'Come and see'. Many good opportunities of witnessing for Christ are lost from lack of tact or because of an argumentative spirit. While there is a sense in which we should always be ready to make a defence to everyone who asks us to give an account for the hope that is in us, it should also be done with gentleness and reverence. Others should not be rebuffed by our answers! Philip had this tact. Realising that he could not answer Nathanael's question, he simply said, 'Come and see for yourself.' It is not clever argumentation which draws souls to Christ. It is leading them to the One who can dispel all doubts from their minds.

Nathanael's integrity caused him to investigate the claims which Philip made for Jesus of Nazareth. If he wanted to have his questions answered he must be prepared to investigate the facts. If Nathanael was prejudiced as some infer, if he was jealous as they maintain, he would not have gone with Philip to see Jesus. Prejudice stops the ears; jealously blinds the eyes. Either of these without the other is sufficient to cause a person to refuse to seek the truth. Prejudice keeps people away from Christ; it does not draw men to Him! Jealousy clutches after the phantom of one's own desires and has no place for reason. The attitude of one who is overcome by prejudice is aptly summed up in the words, 'My mind is made up. Don't confuse me with the facts!' I do not think that Nathanael was in this company. The whole tenor of his character and Christ's appraisal of his disposition is against such a view (v. 41b).

For questions to be answered there must be an inner honesty of disposition which results in a submission to the Lord at all times, a willingness to reserve judgment until one has thoroughly investigated all the facts, and lastly, a readiness to respond to the light which God may give to us.

As Nathanael and Philip approached the Master, the Lord Jesus expressed an assessment of Nathanael which must have startled all who heard it. He said, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile'. The word 'guile' is an interesting one. It was originally used of the bait on a hook by which a fish was deceived into believing it had come across a tasty meal. From this it came to be used of any cunning contrivance by which one could deceive another. When applied to a person it described his wily character, trickery or deception. Nathanael was not like this at all. These things had characterised his forefather, Jacob, but they were not true of him. The name 'Israel' had been given to Jacob and it means 'Prince with God'. Nathanael was an 'Israelite' in character and not in name only. He was one whose heart was pure, in whom there was no double-mindedness, impure motive, pride or unholy passion – the exact opposite of Jacob! He was devoid of hypocrisy, and he had become this by putting into practice the results of his meditation upon the Word of God and through the regular exercise of prayer.

When we pause to consider that Nathanael never held a complete Bible in his hands such as you and I are privileged to do, that the local synagogue only had the scrolls of the Old Testament from which the Pharisees instructed their auditors, that the Gospels and Epistles had not yet been written, and that Nathanael had to memorize all he knew, we come to a new appreciation of the man!

Nathanael's second question←⤒🔗

When Jesus Christ greeted Nathanael with the words 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile', the writer furnishes us with incidental proof of the accuracy of Christ's statement in Nathanael's reply: 'How do you know me?' There was no denial of what was true, but rather a tacit ad­mission of the truth of the statement without any mock modesty or false humility. Nathanael made no attempt to contradict the Master or say that the commendation was undeserved. A fawning, false humility is a species of guile in itself, for its self-deprecations are but so many invitations for further praise. This 'Israelite' was burning with curiosity about one thing: 'How do you know me?' The two had never met before. In that moment of revelation the theological issues concerning the birthplace and parentage of Christ were forgotten.

In this connection it is well for us to take stock and remember that when we are alone where no human eyes are watching, when we are enjoying the privacy of our 'leafy bower' far removed from human investigation, our Lord continues to watch us, evaluate our motives, and measure the real man by the thoughts and intents of the heart. Campbell Morgan tells how one day he was travelling in Northfield with D. L. Moody, when quite suddenly Moody asked the learned divine, 'What is character?' Rather than give an explanation and realizing that the evangelist had something in mind, Dr. Morgan said, 'Well, what is it?' To this Moody replied, 'Character is what a man is in the dark'. Yes, character is what a man is in the dark, when the curtains are drawn and no one is in the room, when the mask is off and the man is seen for what he really is. Then God measures us, not by what we are like when we are on our best behaviour, but by what we are when we are alone with ourselves and our real motives become apparent.4Nathanael's question gave the Lord Jesus the opportunity to reveal Himself to him. 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you' (v. 48). This was the first answer this honest inquirer received. He had come with a problem: How could the Messiah come from Nazareth? Now, in response to his earnest seeking, God was beginning to give him some answers; and the answers came through the revelation of the Person of His Son. Nathanael well knew that no ordinary gaze could have seen him be­neath the cool, comforting shade of a fig tree. Yet while he was having his devotions and meditating upon the marvels of God's Word, the omnipresent eye of the Son of God had seen him.

Nathanael had been concealed from view, and yet the Lord had seen him. This revelation of Christ's person and deity completely convinced Nathanael that He was the Messiah. He came to trust in Christ personally without having his first question answered. As an Israelite whose heart was open to the Word of God, his response was immediate. 'Rabbi,' he said, 'Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.' Now no zealous Jew would lightly take the name of God upon his lips, nor would he ever give to anyone a title which was reserved specifically for the Messiah. The fact that Nathanael called the Lord Jesus the 'Son of God' and the 'King of Israel' – both Messianic titles – indicates to what extent he was able to comprehend the revelation which God was giving him.

There is another factor embodied in this incident which does not appear upon the surface, for it is implied rather than stated. This is the fact that wherever the Messiah is recognised for what He is, the Son of God and the King of Israel, He is immediately accorded full submission, devo­tion, and loyalty. Nathanael saw in the Man before him the One who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and who had come as the Messiah of Israel, and his submission to His authority was immediate.

Nathanael's Unasked Question, and the Answer←⤒🔗

To the person who has an open mind and who is willing to investigate the facts, God gives the blessing of added revelation. In answer to Nathanael's question, 'How do You know me?' our Lord gave an answer which completely met his need and banished from his mind all doubt about the birthplace and parentage of the Lord Jesus. Following Nathanael's confession, Jesus said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these". And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened (literally, 'made to stand open') and the angels of God as­cending and descending upon the Son of Man." This was the answer to Nathanael's unasked question.

While under the fig tree, lost in contemplation, it seems as if he had been meditating upon the significance of Jacob's experience at Bethel and the relevancy of Jacob's vision for his own time (v. 51). Jacob, you will remember, was fleeing from his brother, Esau, after having deceived his father, Isaac, into giving him the inheritance of the firstborn. After journeying all day, Jacob reached a place called Luz; and with darkness having already fallen, he lay down upon the ground to sleep, using a stone for a pillow. While asleep Jacob dreamed that a ladder extended from earth to heaven and that the angels of God were ascending and descending upon the ladder.

Jacob's vision forms the background to the new revelation the Master was about to give His disciple. The ladder is now personalised. It becomes a symbol for the Lord Jesus Christ who is able to bridge the gap between heaven and earth in His own person and through whom communication between heaven and earth is realised and maintained. Through the mediation of the Son, heaven is made to stand open, and access into the presence of God becomes both permanent and continuous. The Lord Jesus is the channel by which our prayers ascend to the throne of God; and He is the means whereby the messengers of God are sent to bring back heaven's answers.

We wish that more had been told us of Nathanael. What has been written has been recorded for our admonition and learning. He was a man who, when he first heard of Jesus, entertained grave doubts concerning Him. In his initial contact with the Master many of his questions were answered, the asked and the unasked. He, however, came to trust Christ without having all his questions answered straight away. The Lord merely revealed Himself to Nathanael and that was sufficient. He was completely satisfied.

When he asked the Lord Jesus, 'How do You know me?' the Master showed that He knew him through His omni­presence. He knew where Nathanael had been and what he had been doing. This revealed to Nathanael the person of Christ and was the first answer he received to any of his questions. The second answer he received was to an unasked question. He had a matter pressing upon his heart which concerned the application of a portion of the Word of God to his situation. This was an unasked question but one which the Lord Jesus answered. By doing so the Master revealed His omniscience. He gave Nathanael the answer he had been searching for and explained the significance of Jacob's dream, showing at the same time that He was the fulfilment of that which the ladder signified.

The Answer to Nathanael's First Question←⤒🔗

Some questions are only answered through close, sustained fellowship with Christ. When Nathanael first heard of Jesus of Nazareth he exclaimed: 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' This was his unanswered question. But was it unanswered? It seems inconceivable that as Nathanael fellowshipped with the Lord Jesus throughout His three years of ministry the Master could have failed to expound the Old Testament teaching concerning Himself, the true place of His birth, and how Joseph happened to be His foster-father. I am inclined to think all of Nathanael's questions were answered, though not all at once, and from this early start he went on to learn more of what it meant to be a follower of the Nazarene.

We all have questions for which we crave answers. Teenagers are faced with questions about the use of drugs, amusements, morality, popularity, and the ever-present pressures to conform. What should they do? Where can they go for help? Adults are also perplexed by problems which are peculiar to the rearing of children in this day and age, how to stretch their income to meet growing needs of their families, and how to live consistently for Christ and still try to be successful in business.

To us Nathanael stands out as an example of a man who had his questions answered. If we would have Christ answer our questions and supply the solution to the problems which vex us, we need to be of the same disposition as Nathanael. We need zealously to study the Word, have our own regular times for quiet prayer and fellowship with the Lord, and live up to the light God gives us. When faced with some problem or when doubts and difficulties beset us, we should be ready to investigate the facts with an open heart and mind and be ready to respond in obedience when God entrusts us with some new facet of truth from His inspired Word.

All our questions will not be answered at once, but the more we fellowship with the Lord and the closer we walk with Him, the more we understand His Word and apply it to our lives, the more will we be led into the truth of His person and find the solution to our problems and the answer to our questions through our study of the Scriptures.