Knew It.

Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” John 1:48

When my friend Jim’s daughter Erin was four years old she helped herself to some cookies from the cookie jar without permission. When Jim surprised her in the kitchen she tried to hide the cookies behind her back. At the time, Erin was about two and a half feet tall and Jim, who stands about 6’2” could see behind her back even while he was standing in front of her. Behind her back was not a suitable hiding place for the cookies and Erin paid the price for both stealing and lying. As Christians, a clear understanding of God’s power can help us admit to our sins and lead us towards His will for us instead of away from it.

In this passage of scripture, Jesus is choosing his disciples. He elects to share with Nathanael that he knew him before he met him. How much of what we do is trying to mask the things we think and do when away from family, friends and outside of the scrutiny of the church? How much of our true selves do we attempt to bury or keep on a shelf, like a piece of clothing only to put it on when we feel we are safely away from those who will judge us? Save your effort. What people think about us does not matter and God already knows who we are. In spite of our past and present sins, he has given us the directive and the opportunity to serve him. The fact that the Lord knows us by name and calls us to serve him should encourage us to try to live up to our calling.

Pray today to live a life that can stand up to public scrutiny.

Deacon Larry Woodard