Jesus Sees You!

“’How do you know about me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, ‘I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.’” (John 1:48 NLT)

One of the most powerful desires we have as human beings is to be seen. In the world in which we live it’s so easy to feel invisible. The Covid virus surfaced and magnified the loneliness that many were already experiencing but had gone undetected. Being forced to be alone has caused an increase in anxiety, depression, and suicides.

What does “being seen” mean? Think of a continuum. On the one end is literally “being seen, acknowledged, being noticed.” Then slide a little further and you see things like “worthy of someone’s attention.” Keep moving along and you’ll finally come to “understood for who you are” and, for our purposes as children of God, “identified as having a legitimate place in the family of God.”

God sees us! Another way to say that may be – He gets us! He understands the idiosyncrasies that each of us has because He designed and created us to be this way. He doesn’t see us as odd or different, He sees us as His beloved child whom He has gifted and equipped to be the man or woman of God, He specifically desires us to be.

There’s a contribution to the Body of Christ that no one else can make; a role that no other person who has ever lived can play – except YOU! I believe that was the message Nathanael heard when Jesus told him He saw him under the fig tree.

It’s pure speculation as to what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree but suffice it to say that whatever it was it was important to him. The second season of The Chosen includes a scene in which Nathanael, a trained architect, has had a disappointing setback in his career. He goes to the fig tree to escape people, in order that he might pour his heart out to God.

He explains to God that his whole purpose for becoming an architect was so that he could build temples that would honor God. At one point he says something like: “Didn’t you see that what I was trying to do was all for YOU?”  

Then to come face to face with God in human flesh who says to him: “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Think of the impact Jesus’ words had on his spirit. Nathanael was broken, defeated, discouraged, downtrodden, and on the verge of depression, yet Jesus spoke the very words he most needed to hear – “I see you!”

When we push all the exterior coverings away, isn’t that what you and I most want to hear? In our heart of hearts, isn’t what we most desire is to have someone see us for who and what we really are – warts and all?  

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged.” I get weak knees just thinking about that day. I can’t conceive of having the strength to stand in my Savior’s presence. Kneel? Maybe. Lie prostrate? Probably.

As Jesus followers we’re all on a pilgrimage of faith that ideally will render us more and more like Jesus as we grow and develop as His children. But to stand before pure holiness and perfection will surely reveal that the little bit of progress we’ve made is still grossly different, immeasurably less than that of the One in whose presence we stand.

Aren’t you grateful He sees you – not only for what you were and are, but for what you’ll one day become – in Him!

Blessings, Ed 😊