Fig tree and Nathanael

“I saw you while you were still under the fig tree,” said Jesus to Nathanael, who thought that ‘Jesus had come from Nazareth only, hadn’t he?’ When he heard what Christ said, he surrenders to Him at once saying, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

We may think if, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree,” is a great revelation. Many Biblical Scholars illustrate the meaning of this revelation.

Micah 4:4, Zechariah 3:10, 1 Kings 4:25, all the mentioned three verses talk about the prophecy ‘sitting safely under the fig tree.’ It denotes the coming of Messiah and the health of Israel that follows it. Nathanael was a noble, flawless Israelite who curiously sought the coming of Messiah.

Nathanael’s mind was occupied by the seeking of Messiah always. Everyone knew how eagerly he seeks for the coming of Messiah. That is why Philip volunteers to tell Nathanael that he saw Messiah (John 1:45). We see in the Bible that the Lord who said, ‘seek and you will find,’ has revealed Himself to all the ones who sought him eagerly.

Simeon, had eagerly waited for the coming of Messiah, even in his old days. Christ Jesus revealed His infant self to him and guided him to peaceful demise. He never disappointed the ones who sought Him unlike the rest of the world. It does not matter how well we perform spiritual or religious activities.. It may show us off as spiritual people before others. But the most vital thing is, how much we seek Him in our privacy.

Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:3-5)