January 13, 2012
Friday Blessings is brought to you by Interim Senior Pastor Fred Hill.
Jesus answered, “I saw you (Nathaniel) under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
(John 1:48)
Observing his bib overalls and the wooden rocking chair, he didn’t appear to be able to answer my question. My wife, La Nell, discouraged me from asking him for the driving directions to the country church outside of Houston. We were on our way to the funeral of a young soldier who had lost his life in Viet Nam. His death was the result of an unfortunate accident — while working on the TV antenna on the roof of a church, he lost his footing, grabbed a power line and was electrocuted. Memories of my uncle’s death twenty years earlier under similar circumstances crossed my mind while driving to Brenham, Texas.
I had intended to ask someone for directions to the church. Had I simply forgotten, or, was I too busy? I simply don’t remember. I thought I knew where I was going, until…seated on the porch of a feed store in this small Central Texas town was this elderly man. Waiting. Ready. As if he expected some helpless young motorist from the big city to stop by.
Nathaniel, too, was waiting for someone. He was waiting for the one who would liberate Israel, and provide the desired peace of God from on high. Little did he expect his brother Philip to bring the long awaited good news and meet the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God. There they met, under the fig tree, a place of devotion and prayer.
At times, our waiting seems to be an exercise in futility. We have no fig tree to provide shade or shelter from the scorching heat of the day. Comfort becomes a distant memory. Hope is diminished. Our future clouded by the tears of despair, as we wait.
This is where Jesus meets us. He finds us sitting, waiting, wondering if there is a God. And, suddenly, he calls us by name to follow him. I saw you seated in prayer – follow me.
God’s way of choosing still puzzles us today. God’s timing is unexpected. Will God appear in our endless waiting? When our hope declines, God invites us to join him. God’s love is definite and dependable. As Jesus found Nathaniel, alone, in devotion and prayer, may God touch us with his gentle hand and inviting word.
Prayer: Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful redeemer, for the countless blessings and benefits you give. May we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day praising you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
