If Jesus were to identify one thing He appreciates about you, what would it be? Nathanael, whom some scholars say was also known as Bartholomew, heard the following words from Jesus, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity” (John 1:47).
What is a “genuine son of Israel”? Romans 2:29 states, “A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. . . . It is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.” This type of person possesses “complete integrity”—consistent in both public and private life. In short, Jesus gave Nathanael a stunning compliment. It’s little wonder then that Nathanael—who had never met the Lord—was filled with amazement. He asked, “How do you know about me?” (John 1:48).
Something in Jesus’ answer convinced Nathanael that He was the Son of God. For He couldn’t have known where Nathanael had been unless He was omniscient (all-knowing).
Jesus knew that Nathanael had been under a fig tree. Some scholars think that he had been studying the Scriptures there.
But, aside from today’s Bible passage, little is known about this “genuine son of Israel.” Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention him only once—when they list all 12 apostles. But early church records suggest that after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Nathanael ministered in Persia and India and took the gospel as far as Armenia.
As an example for all believers in Jesus, Nathanael apparently lived out his faith with passion and confidence. He simply followed Jesus with “complete integrity” as he sought to bring more sons and daughters of God into the kingdom. Could the same be said of us?
More:
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths (Psalm 119:1-3).
Next:
How does the essence of your life line up with Nathanael’s? What do you need to do to establish a life of “complete integrity”?
bethanyF on June 20, 2010 at 9:26 am
Sometimes I try to do what is right so much that I give myself anxiety and fret over everything that I do. I know that I should trust in the Lord and what he says but I get very confused. I pray that the lord will help me to be like Nathaniel and have a healthy integrity that doesn’t drive me nuts to the point of having anxiety. Sometimes I get frustrated and right now I am praying for peace about the things that are bothering me. Thanks for this lesson. It was really helpful.
driftsmoker on June 20, 2010 at 9:50 am
I know how that feels, i get it too. But peace is the calm during the storm, not the calm before the storm. So if u seek peace, ask God with faith and let go. Perhaps u can try clearing your mind and ask yourself, what would God want me to do. Letting go can be hard but if we dont, it will definitely slow us down.
maryanneb47 on June 20, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Thank you to both of you for reminding me to let go and let God this is something that I forget and then get very depressed and then try to fix things myself which I’m sure you know doesn’t work.
p.s. for all those father’s Happy Father’s Day.
msroby on June 20, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I found integrity when I figured out that God has made us all the way we are. Each of us with each having their own kinds of faults from little to huge in size, yet it’s all a plan. Each of us alone much choose at the given time to turn to our Lord, forever. It doesn’t even mean we have to be perfect, but to do our very best to listen and do as we are directed. We can try to help others along but it’s really up to God to change the mind of anyone. Can you imagine just yourself and Jesus on this planet? Doing everything together and no one else there? Can you? Can you see all the people that come before you and see Jesus in them? He’s there. Because we can see and hear people on this earth but can’t see Jesus, we must use our spiritual eyes and see Him and learn to hear him. This plan for each of us doesn’t mean it’s going to be pleasant or pain free, it just means that if you are with Him you get through anything, even death.
If you can not see Jesus with you all the time and in all things, then you don’t know a think about intergrity.
sarah anne on June 20, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Hi Everybody, i’m quite new in writing in, so bear with me please, i am inclined to just break down the door. I try to bring the Lord into my everyday life, in whatever i do, whether it is cleaning or cooking, or even goin to do the shopping, and when i do things work out fine, there are days where i do things by myself, and then it does not work out so good, I’m a south african living in germany, and one thing I love here is appreciating the flowing rivers, which we do not alwayshave in south africa, I saw something in Isaiah,43:19 where ou Father says, he will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, and now I appreciate, the Creation of God, and see His Hand in each and every leaf and flower, what I’am trying to say is only now when i walk , here Ireally appreciate, the Goodness of God and the Work of His Hands, and I can just shout out, and praise the Creator, for color and promises made and kept, Hallelujah! and Amen