““How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”“
John 1:48-51 NLT
In the Bible there are many occasions when fig trees are mentioned. We read in Genesis 3:7, ”At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves”. The only tree mentioned in the Garden was of the fig variety. The Promised Land contained riches including fig trees. Deuteronomy 8:8, “It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey”. So, the fig tree came to be associated with God’s blessing and security for the Jewish people. But the fig tree also became associated with it being a symbol of Israel itself and its peace and prosperity. 1 Kings 4:25, “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon”.
Perhaps there was something symbolic in the association of Nathanael and the fig tree under which he was taking cover from the heat of the sun. Jesus used it as a reference point in a subsequent conversation, and from that Nathanael drew the conclusion that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for.
So we pilgrims can draw several conclusions from this. Firstly, Jesus sees us wherever we are. It may be in a mundane place like standing under a tree, or at an office desk, or in a church pew. Jesus will see what is within us, as he saw the character of Nathanael. But we have to ask ourselves the question – does Jesus see someone who is a person of integrity, of potential, who will be of use to His Kingdom mission? Secondly, Nathanael was taking cover under a fig tree, a symbol of national identity. But here in the UK at least, the national identity is a secular mish-mash of chaotic confusion, where even morality and our Christian roots are being challenged and disregarded. So another question – what identity are we displaying to those around us? Too many church denominations are adopting the secular ways, committing themselves to even more uncertainty and turmoil when they should be Kingdom fig trees in their witness. Thirdly, Nathanael’s response to Jesus was one of recognition about who He was. Our response to Jesus’ call is crucial to our future with Him. Have we heard that call, and responded in praise and worship with a “Yes Lord”?
Dear Lord Jesus. We worship You today, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 