In the Gospel of John (1:45-51), we are given a profound glimpse into the calling of Nathanael.

The passage starts with a bold claim, that every Jew in Jesus’ time was waiting for, from his friend Philip: “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 

Nathanael’s response, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Why would Nathanael say this? The Jewish people in Jesus’ day were expecting the Messiah to come from Bethlehem. However, Philip now had Nathanael’s attention. Philip simply replies, “Come and see.”

What unfolds next is beautiful. As Nathanael approaches, Jesus says of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael is stunned. How could Jesus know him? Jesus then reveals that He saw Nathanael sitting under the fig tree before Philip ever called him. Immediately, Nathanael proclaims Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel.

After the call, Jesus asks the question. “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 

When reading this passage in St. John, two things immediately stand out to me that speak directly to our daily walk as Christians.

1. “No Duplicity in Him”

What I find fascinating is Jesus’ immediate assessment of Nathanael’s character. To have “no duplicity” means to be without deceit, guile, or hypocrisy. It means what you see is what you get. There is no difference between his “public” and “private” life. 

Nathanael was a skeptic. He was even a bit prejudiced against the small, backwater town of Nazareth. But he was honest. He didn’t hide his doubts behind false piety. When we look at our own spiritual lives, how often do we approach God with a mask on? We try to clean up our act, hide our frustrations, or pretend we have it all together.

God can work with honest skepticism. He can work with our blunt questions and our raw emotions. What he cannot work with is a closed, deceptive heart. Jesus praised Nathanael because his heart, though initially doubting, was completely open and transparent.

2. The Foundation of True Faith

The second thing that strikes me is how Jesus addresses Nathanael’s sudden burst of faith. Nathanael believed because Jesus performed a miraculous display of divine knowledge. But Jesus immediately challenges this foundation.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus performs incredible miracles—healing the sick, multiplying bread, calming storms. Yet, He constantly challenges His hearers to look beyond the spectacle. Do we believe only because we just saw a miracle, or received an answered prayer, or felt a sudden emotional high? 

Or do we believe as an act of enduring faith, even when the miracles are quiet and the fig tree is empty?

Faith built solely on spiritual “highs” or visible signs is fragile. When the signs fade, that kind of faith often crumbles. True faith trusts in the person of Christ, recognizing that the “greater things” He promises are not just earthly miracles, but the eternal reality of heaven opened to us.

My Takeaways:

• Bring Your Authentic Self to Prayer
• Evaluate the Root of Your Faith: Take a moment to ask yourself: Why do I follow Jesus?
• Accept the Invitation to “Come and See”: This week, set aside time to separate yourself from the daily noise and distractions. Spend time in Adoration, quietly reading Scripture, or silent prayer.