46 "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."
48 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
49 Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Words filled with skepticism, criticism and sarcasm flow easily do they not? Careless, critical, caustic words bring death to the hearer destroying hopes and dreams and relationships in the wake of their destructive path. Words that bring life which edify, encourage and exhort should mark every believer’s mouth.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Prov 16:24 (NIV)
James tells us that we are incapable of training that little two inch sword which rests behind our incisors as our words are simply a manifestation of what lies within our hearts (ouch!).
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 (NIV)
This certainly does not mean we give way to verbal assault it means rather we do not begin with the mouth in dealing with the problem. We go to the source; we must begin with the heart. Jesus tells us in Scripture:
45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (NIV)
Our words matter to our Lord, beware! I wonder if after being confronted with the Truth Nathanael wished he had not uttered those words? You can almost feel his sarcastic, biting, fault finding and know it all heartfelt attitudes by just reading his doubting words. While caution is commendable as our rule as believers is to prove all things by God’s Word, Nathanael’s quick response was not only wrong but rude. We are to be like the noble Bereans who diligently searched the Scriptures to prove Truth. Scripture tells us in Acts regarding these noble men:
11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV)
Yet Jesus, who is aware of the unseen life, knows Nathanael’s heart; and delivers a commendation to him that is just so Jesus! Fleshing out Romans 12:21 before our eyes, He gently leads Nathanael to the Truth providing for us a wonderful example of how we are to respond to negative verbiage in our own lives:
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Some people seem to have such a passion for righteousness that they have no room left for compassion for those who have failed. Charles Allen
Jesus commends Nathanael not to simply flatter him with empty words rather perhaps to focus on his strengths, highlighting and encouraging the good rather than hitting him over the head with a two by four regarding his flaws. As Jesus alone knows the heart of man, He knew Nathanael to be a modest man who sincerely professed the faith of Israel putting into practice what he professed. Jesus’ words surprise Nathanael and perhaps take him a bit off guard. A loving response often does that to people. We are so accustomed to receiving complaints and criticism that when we come face to face with True love it can be a bit disarming can it not (not to mention charming)? What a wooing and glorious example Jesus sets for us regarding the critical caustics in our own lives. The ensuing response Jesus received from Nathanael confirmed how firmly now he believed the Truth in his heart as he freely confessed with his mouth Christ’s prophetic office as Rabbi and His divine nature and mission by calling Him the Son of God and the King of Israel.
“Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, and learning.” Frederick Faber