Nathaniel did not speak to please the other. He spoke plainly and true. He spoke his mind and his perspective was clear. When I think about Nathaniel, I am reminded of just the opposite we see often today.
In our world, Artificial Intelligence or AI is part of most of our day. In my work I use it often. It is obvious, and if questioned it will admit, that it’s answers are framed to please the human and to adopt the human’s opinion and position on things. This is done so the human will continue to use the AI service.
In AI it is just the opposite of Nathaniel. AI creates answers to please and to draw in more use of its services. It is profit focused as designed by the humans that enabled and taught it.
People can be that way. Saying what they believe we want to hear, even changing their own viewpoints and opinions depending on who they are talking to at the moment. We know people like that don’t we? This agreement in posture and perspective makes us like the other more. It is human nature to be attracted and interested in those who show interest in us. Those who align with us.
As Bette Midler says in the movie line, “that is enough about me. Let’s talk about you…how do you feel about me?”
Jesus sees Nathanial is different. He comes with transparency and raw truth as he sees it. He seeks no approval or alignment.
Jesus saw his honesty to be very valuable. He sees in each of us something that he knows he can also use to bring the kingdom of God to more people. Each of us have gifts and traits that Jesus can use to reach more people. What are our traits? What are we known for? How can we use them in service to Jesus Christ?
That is our challenge today.
Gospel
Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
But Nathanael said to him,
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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