In John chapter one we have several interesting incidents. Among them are a couple of people who found Jesus as a result of somebody else’s efforts. In each case, Jesus had something to say to or about those who came to him. Do you ever wonder what Jesus might say about you?

The first case is that of Andrew as he heard John speaking. Note that he first found his own brother Peter, and verse 42 says “… he brought  him to Jesus.” Now what about this fisherman that had been introduced to Jesus; what did Jesus say about him? Jesus recognized him as “Simon,” and then called him “Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.” Why did Jesus choose such a name for this Simon who had not followed him before? He no doubt saw in him qualities that reminded him of a stone; he was a “solid rock” as we might say. Oh yes, Peter slipped on an occasion or two; he even denied the Lord one night. But when all was said and done, he came back to the Lord, never to leave him again. In fact, Jesus even said that Peter would eventually die for him (John 21:18-29).

When Jesus looks at you, does he see a “stone;” one upon whom he can depend to stay with him even to ? Or does he see one who is wavering, changing and upon whom he cannot depend? Jesus does not like to see us as “reeds shaken in the wind” (cf. Matt. 11:7), but as rocks that will stand with and for him come what may. He thinks something about us? Do we ever wonder what it may be?

Then we see Philip who lived in the same city as Andrew and Peter. He went out and found Nathanael, telling him that they had found the one of whom Moses and prophets did write, “Jesus of Nazareth” (vv. 44-46). Nathanael’s estimate of Jesus was quite different than the one that Jesus had of him! He wondered, “can any good thing come out of Nazareth” (v. 46)? Surely if this man called Jesus was from Nazareth, there could not be much to him, but this city did not have the best reputation!

But what did Jesus think and say about Nathanael? John tells us that Jesus saw him coming and said, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (v. 47)! Nathanael was an exceedingly honest man; he spoke his mind, and even though he was wrong in his first estimate of Jesus, the Lord saw that honesty and pronounced him as “guileless.” In fact, he even called him to the apostleship, if indeed he is also the one called Bartholomew, which is probably the case. Jesus knew all about him and told him he would see greater things than these!

Ever wonder? That is, about the estimation that Jesus has about you? You and I are no different than Nathanael that Jesus saw under the fig tree (v. 50), and immediately knew everything about him! – Bill Moseley