Thursday August 24, 2017
We know nothing of Bartholomew except his name and so we hear of the calling of the apostles in John. Each one who sees Jesus, goes and finds another to tell about the discovery and bring him back as another follower. Who told Bartholomew? Did Jesus call him personally? How did he become part of the inner circle of twelve? How are we called? Who calls us? Who do we call to come and see, to meet Jesus? The vision of the city of God in Revelation describes what will be-the fullness of the kingdom that was entrusted to the apostles. It is now entrusted to us, that we may bring it to earth. We are to be followers of the Lamb of God, the Crucified and Risen One who is the Savior of all the peoples of the world.
Alternative
What was Nathanael (Bartholomew) doing under the fig tree that was so revealing of his authenticity? We would never know for sure. Yet, being under the fig tree seems to refer to being in communion with God and walking in God’s ways (see Mic 4:4; Zech 3:10). Whatever Nathanael did under the fig tree, Jesus’s mentioning the event evoked an immediate pronouncement of faith from him who had been skeptical until then about anything good coming from Nazareth.
One thing we know from the encounter: God sees us. Even before Philip met Nathanael and spoke about Christ, Jesus has seen him. He sees us whether we are under the fig tree or in the market place. He not only sees where we are and what we do, but also sees into the deepest movements of our hearts. Nathanael received high praise from Christ. When I meet Christ at my resurrection, what would he have to say about me?
