(Audio)
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Jesus knows us. It is a knowledge even greater and more comprehensive than that of the most intimate family members. It is a knowledge that compasses the good and the bad, what we show off, and what we hide. Even when we feel invisible to others Jesus still sees and knows us.
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Let us experience being known by the LORD. Then he will not say "I do not know where you are from" when we try to enter his Kingdom. It is a fearful thing to let ourselves be fully known because in life We always risk the response of those to whom we reveal ourselves. There are parts of us of which we are not proud. And revelation of these parts will result occasionally others withdrawing from us, even if just a little, loving us less, even while trying not to show it. Parents come the closest to unconditional love, but even they have lapses. Only Jesus loves us unconditionally. And this is why being known by him is so miraculous. It is like nothing we've experienced before.
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
- Psalm 139:1-6
When we are known by Jesus we admit that he knows even more about us than we know about ourselves. We admit that he knows more about what will ultimately satisfy us than we do. Really, given our track records for what happens when we try to find happiness ourselves, we shouldn't be surprised. And yet, only Jesus sees how we fit into the bigger picture of his plans. He made us, and he knows exactly why.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
We, like Bartholomew, are meant to be living stones in the Church (see First Peter 2:4). We are meant to be built together with Christ himself as the capstone (see Ephesians 2:20). We are made by love and for love. In being known we experience the truth of that love and at the same time unleash it in our hearts.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
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