Come and See: The Invitation to Deeper Faith

Come and See: The Invitation to Deeper Faith

Reflection on John 1:47-51

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In today’s Gospel from John 1:47-51, we encounter the brief but powerful exchange between Jesus and Nathanael. When Jesus sees Nathanael coming toward Him, He says, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Surprised, Nathanael asks, “How do you know me?” And Jesus responds, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” This mysterious comment moves Nathanael so deeply that he proclaims, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

This encounter tells us something essential about how Jesus sees us—and how we are invited to respond.

1. Jesus Sees the Heart

The Gospel tells us that Jesus sees Nathanael not just as a man approaching Him, but as someone “without guile”—someone honest, someone real. Jesus knows Nathanael even before they formally meet. Similarly, Jesus sees us. He sees past our appearances, our masks, and our reputations. He sees our longings, our fears, our doubts, and our hopes. He knows the moments we’ve sat quietly “under the fig tree”—those moments of prayer, confusion, contemplation, or searching.

In biblical symbolism, sitting under a fig tree often represents a time of reflection, learning, or waiting for the Messiah. Could it be that Nathanael was praying or pondering deeply about God’s promises? Whatever it was, Jesus reveals that He was present in that hidden moment. And so, this passage reminds us that our private prayers, even our inner questions and struggles, are not unseen. God is there, intimately aware of our hearts.

2. An Invitation to Believe More Deeply

After Nathanael makes his confession of faith, Jesus says something striking:
“Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this... you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Here, Jesus is inviting Nathanael—and us—not to settle for a surface-level faith, but to go deeper. He’s saying: “You were impressed that I knew something hidden—but that’s only the beginning. Stay with me, walk with me, and you will witness divine glory.”

This reflects the journey of every believer. Often, our first encounters with God are simple, even small signs. But Jesus doesn't want us to stop there. He calls us to a faith that matures over time—one that sees “heaven opened,” where we begin to perceive the divine in our daily lives, in the sacraments, and in the quiet grace of each moment.

3. “Come and See” – A Lifelong Journey

Earlier in the chapter, when Philip told Nathanael about Jesus, Nathanael had doubts: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” But Philip didn’t argue or try to convince him—he simply said, “Come and see.” And that was enough.

This Gospel reminds us that faith is often born not through arguments, but through encounters—with Christ, through prayer, through Scripture, through the Church, and through one another.

“Come and see” is an invitation extended to every one of us. Whether we are full of faith, full of doubts, or somewhere in between, Jesus invites us to approach Him with honesty, like Nathanael, and to open ourselves to “greater things.”

Key Takeaway:

Jesus knows you intimately and calls you to deeper faith. Even the quiet moments you think go unnoticed are seen by Him. Accept His invitation to "come and see," and be ready to witness the greater things He desires to reveal in your life.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus,
You see me as I truly am—without masks, without pretenses.
Thank You for meeting me in the quiet places of my heart,
even when I am unsure or full of questions.
Help me to follow You more closely,
to grow in faith, and to open my heart
to the greater things You desire to show me.
Like Nathanael, may I recognize You as the Son of God
and proclaim Your presence in my life.
Amen.