1 00:00:00,740 --> 00:00:03,760 Speaker 1: You have searched me and you know me. You know 2 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,260 Speaker 1: my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my 3 00:00:07,300 --> 00:00:14,470 Speaker 1: thoughts from afar. Psalm 139, 1 and 2. Dear Lord, 4 00:00:15,670 --> 00:00:19,730 Speaker 1: thank you for being a God who sees. You see 5 00:00:19,790 --> 00:00:24,070 Speaker 1: our rising and our falling. You have numbered every hair 6 00:00:24,150 --> 00:00:30,030 Speaker 1: on our heads and know our anxieties, fears, and insecurities. 7 00:00:32,130 --> 00:00:36,070 Speaker 1: Our flaws are not hidden from you, yet you love 8 00:00:36,130 --> 00:00:40,470 Speaker 1: us anyway. Every sin and dark part of our hearts 9 00:00:40,750 --> 00:00:44,879 Speaker 1: are exposed before you, yet you still died for us. 10 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: We are completely known and unconditionally loved by you. Thank you, Lord. 11 00:00:54,780 --> 00:00:56,740 Speaker 1: There is not a person on this earth whose love 12 00:00:56,780 --> 00:01:02,930 Speaker 1: and attention can match yours. Today we pray that, we 13 00:01:02,970 --> 00:01:07,610 Speaker 1: would walk as confident people, free from the insecurity of 14 00:01:07,709 --> 00:01:13,970 Speaker 1: feeling hidden or unknown. You see us, walk with us, 15 00:01:14,860 --> 00:01:20,539 Speaker 1: and call us to great things. May we walk boldly today. 16 00:01:22,260 --> 00:01:23,819 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name we pray. 17 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:25,860 Speaker 2: Amen. 18 00:01:27,700 --> 00:01:30,660 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 19 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:35,090 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast, stories inspired by the life and ministry 20 00:01:35,310 --> 00:01:39,470 Speaker 1: of Jesus. Today, we take another look at a gospel-inspired 21 00:01:39,530 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: story to find peace and mental health. Let's begin. Follow 22 00:01:45,030 --> 00:01:49,140 Speaker 1: this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so 23 00:01:49,380 --> 00:01:52,860 Speaker 1: will keep you updated, but also help us get discovered 24 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:56,620 Speaker 1: by more people. We want the story of Jesus to 25 00:01:56,680 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. 26 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:06,410 Speaker 1: Nathaniel marched up the hills outside the walls of Beseda. 27 00:02:07,770 --> 00:02:11,690 Speaker 1: Each step was torturous as he wrestled with a whirlwind 28 00:02:11,730 --> 00:02:18,500 Speaker 1: of emotions. His eyes were brimming with unshed tears. Each 29 00:02:18,580 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 1: blink was a silent battle, a determined effort to keep 30 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:28,540 Speaker 1: his sorrow at bay. Nathaniel had always been known as 31 00:02:28,610 --> 00:02:33,070 Speaker 1: a man of integrity, skill, and honor. He had never 32 00:02:33,169 --> 00:02:39,010 Speaker 1: intentionally hurt or deceived anyone. But as Nathaniel walked away 33 00:02:39,110 --> 00:02:42,950 Speaker 1: from the city, he couldn't help but question it all. 34 00:02:44,990 --> 00:02:48,710 Speaker 1: He had given so much of himself, but was slighted 35 00:02:48,750 --> 00:02:54,970 Speaker 1: at every opportunity. He served everyone, but received no recognition 36 00:02:55,470 --> 00:03:06,710 Speaker 1: or appreciation He felt invisible, alone, and misunderstood. Nathaniel summited 37 00:03:06,750 --> 00:03:12,150 Speaker 1: the hill overlooking Beseda. Waiting for him, like an old friend, 38 00:03:13,090 --> 00:03:19,130 Speaker 1: was a solitary fig tree. Nathaniel sat under the sprawling 39 00:03:19,190 --> 00:03:23,769 Speaker 1: canopy of leaves. The fig tree was his sacred space, 40 00:03:24,810 --> 00:03:29,550 Speaker 1: his haven from the pressures of life. He sat underneath 41 00:03:29,570 --> 00:03:33,110 Speaker 1: the shade of its branches, listening to the lullabies made 42 00:03:33,190 --> 00:03:34,470 Speaker 1: by the wind and the leaves. 43 00:03:36,220 --> 00:03:40,780 Speaker 2: Am I a good man? He whispered. 44 00:03:43,140 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 1: Nathaniel didn't desire fame or clout. He simply wanted the 45 00:03:47,340 --> 00:03:54,510 Speaker 1: feedback that he was here, loved, and known. Nathaniel had 46 00:03:54,590 --> 00:03:59,070 Speaker 1: always been burdened with a weight of expectations. He carried 47 00:03:59,090 --> 00:04:02,510 Speaker 1: the trouble of those around him on his shoulders, while 48 00:04:02,650 --> 00:04:09,940 Speaker 1: neglecting his soul. He felt invisible, hidden by the problems 49 00:04:10,020 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: others placed upon him. Everyone knew of Nathaniel, but no 50 00:04:16,140 --> 00:04:21,850 Speaker 1: one really saw him. As the early colors of dusk 51 00:04:22,190 --> 00:04:27,740 Speaker 1: stroked over the hills, Nathaniel prayed to God. He prayed 52 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:34,260 Speaker 1: with earnest, pure, and passionate questions. Nathaniel wondered if God 53 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 1: saw him. He wondered if God cared about his suffering, hopes, 54 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: and dreams. 55 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:45,190 Speaker 2: Do you see me, Lord, or am I invisible to you? 56 00:04:46,730 --> 00:04:51,770 Speaker 1: Nathaniel refused to cry. His body shook from holding back 57 00:04:51,830 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: his anguish. He felt weak and unseen. but wouldn't show it, 58 00:04:58,650 --> 00:05:03,980 Speaker 1: not even in solitude. He buried his head between his 59 00:05:04,060 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 1: legs and sighed. The wind picked up slightly, causing a 60 00:05:10,740 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 1: few leaves to fall onto Nathaniel's shoulders like feathers. 61 00:05:15,460 --> 00:05:18,910 Speaker 2: If only my burdens were as light as these leaves. 62 00:05:20,670 --> 00:05:25,289 Speaker 1: After composing himself, he stood up and retreated to the city. 63 00:05:27,820 --> 00:05:30,380 Speaker 3: If you have ever played hide-and-seek as a kid, you 64 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,540 Speaker 3: know that sense of anticipation as you wait in hiding 65 00:05:33,700 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 3: and the exhilaration of being found. As we grow, not 66 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:41,029 Speaker 3: only physically but mentally and emotionally, the idea of hiding 67 00:05:41,270 --> 00:05:44,610 Speaker 3: may not come with the same sense of excitement. In fact, 68 00:05:44,810 --> 00:05:48,030 Speaker 3: maybe we're afraid we'll always be left hidden, never to 69 00:05:48,089 --> 00:05:51,890 Speaker 3: be found by others. Jesus says in Luke 19, for 70 00:05:51,930 --> 00:05:54,580 Speaker 3: the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. 71 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 3: While feeling hidden may come with pain and loneliness, there's 72 00:05:58,420 --> 00:06:02,580 Speaker 3: still an excitement to feeling found. Praise God that Jesus 73 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,910 Speaker 3: sees you and wants to know you. This is the 74 00:06:05,970 --> 00:06:09,690 Speaker 3: Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach from Pray.com. Thanks for joining me 75 00:06:09,750 --> 00:06:13,570 Speaker 3: today as we dive into another outcast encounter. Today's story 76 00:06:13,790 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 3: is about feeling seen, known, and understood. Moments ago, we 77 00:06:17,940 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 3: were introduced to Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew. He was 78 00:06:21,500 --> 00:06:23,860 Speaker 3: born in the city of Cana, the same city where 79 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:27,600 Speaker 3: Jesus performed his first miracles turning water into wine. He 80 00:06:27,660 --> 00:06:30,540 Speaker 3: was your ordinary member of society in the town of Bethsaida, 81 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,460 Speaker 3: a small fishing community on the Sea of Galilee. Yet 82 00:06:33,500 --> 00:06:36,560 Speaker 3: despite its size, a good and upright citizen like Nathaniel 83 00:06:36,670 --> 00:06:40,570 Speaker 3: was left feeling marginalized, always like a stranger. In his 84 00:06:40,710 --> 00:06:45,370 Speaker 3: unmet desire to be acknowledged, he sequestered himself to self-appointed solitude. 85 00:06:45,930 --> 00:06:50,180 Speaker 3: Loneliness often compounds. When we feel unwanted and unloved, we 86 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 3: tend to hide away from others, making us feel even 87 00:06:52,930 --> 00:06:56,770 Speaker 3: more unwanted and unloved. Little does Nathaniel know that in 88 00:06:56,830 --> 00:06:59,810 Speaker 3: a cosmic game of hide-and-seek, his years of waiting to 89 00:06:59,850 --> 00:07:02,930 Speaker 3: be noticed were about to change. At first, we'll see 90 00:07:02,990 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 3: Nathaniel was opposed to the idea of meeting Jesus, feeling 91 00:07:06,420 --> 00:07:08,460 Speaker 3: that it would just be another instance of putting a 92 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,940 Speaker 3: facade for others. But as we dive deeper into our story, 93 00:07:12,340 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 3: I want you to think about places in your life 94 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 3: where you felt unseen and unnoticed and unheard, and then 95 00:07:18,700 --> 00:07:21,950 Speaker 3: allow yourself to relate to Nathaniel as an outcast, ready 96 00:07:22,050 --> 00:07:22,670 Speaker 3: to be found. 97 00:07:25,450 --> 00:07:28,790 Speaker 1: Dusk was approaching, and every merchant in the marketplace was 98 00:07:28,870 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: packing up to leave. Vendors closed up their carts and 99 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 1: loaded their donkeys. Nathaniel trudged through the market, avoiding eye 100 00:07:38,220 --> 00:07:42,540 Speaker 1: contact with anyone he recognized. He wanted to retreat to 101 00:07:42,580 --> 00:07:47,790 Speaker 1: his blankets and hide away from the world. He rounded 102 00:07:47,830 --> 00:07:52,620 Speaker 1: the corner and bumped into a close friend, Philip. Philip 103 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:57,540 Speaker 1: wasn't like Nathaniel. While Nathaniel always presented his best self, 104 00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 1: Philip enjoyed interacting with the world truthfully. If Philip had questions, 105 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:09,170 Speaker 1: he asked them. If Philip didn't understand something, he spoke up. 106 00:08:10,710 --> 00:08:14,590 Speaker 1: Philip was perfectly content to look like a fool if 107 00:08:14,670 --> 00:08:19,330 Speaker 1: it meant he could discover something new. Nathaniel had trouble 108 00:08:19,390 --> 00:08:22,890 Speaker 1: with such things. He lived in the world with a 109 00:08:22,990 --> 00:08:30,170 Speaker 1: mask of perfection. He never showed vulnerability or ignorance. As 110 00:08:30,210 --> 00:08:36,900 Speaker 1: a result, nobody truly knew the honest Nathaniel. They didn't 111 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:41,020 Speaker 1: see him as he was, only as he presented himself 112 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: to be. Nathaniel, hiding his inner turmoil, forced a smile. 113 00:08:48,790 --> 00:08:51,580 Speaker 4: Ah, shalom, Philip. How are you? 114 00:08:52,940 --> 00:08:56,860 Speaker 1: Philip smiled like he had a surprise for Nathaniel. His 115 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:02,860 Speaker 1: eyes shone with concealed delight. Nathaniel, what are you doing tonight? 116 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 4: I have someone I want you to meet. 117 00:09:06,990 --> 00:09:09,950 Speaker 1: Philip's invitation shot Nathaniel in the heart like an arrow. 118 00:09:11,270 --> 00:09:14,170 Speaker 1: He didn't feel like performing for anyone or putting on 119 00:09:14,230 --> 00:09:16,690 Speaker 1: another false smile. He was exhausted. 120 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:21,660 Speaker 2: Is this just another preacher? It's been a long day, 121 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 2: and the last time I joined you to see the baptizer, 122 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:26,460 Speaker 2: the man spoke for hours. 123 00:09:27,660 --> 00:09:30,920 Speaker 1: Nathaniel hadn't mastered the art of replying with a simple no. 124 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:34,060 Speaker 1: He was too concerned about what others thought of him 125 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 1: to draw boundaries. Instead, he danced around the word. 126 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:42,949 Speaker 2: Perhaps you can have him visit my shop tomorrow. I'd 127 00:09:43,010 --> 00:09:45,090 Speaker 2: love to introduce him to a few of my clients. 128 00:09:45,809 --> 00:09:48,530 Speaker 2: They could help his movement. Or maybe I could. 129 00:09:49,890 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 1: Nathaniel! Philip interrupted. His feet nearly flew off the ground 130 00:09:55,840 --> 00:10:00,790 Speaker 1: in excitement. He came close and held Nathaniel's shoulders. This 131 00:10:00,850 --> 00:10:03,390 Speaker 1: man I want you to meet is no ordinary rabbi. 132 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,340 Speaker 2: He is the one Moses wrote about in the law. 133 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:10,199 Speaker 2: He is the one whom the prophets foretold. 134 00:10:11,059 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 1: Nathaniel rubbed his face and forced another smile. Philip was 135 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:19,830 Speaker 1: a kind man, but tended to exaggerate. When John the 136 00:10:19,870 --> 00:10:25,429 Speaker 1: Baptizer began his ministry, Philip wondered if he was the Messiah. Now, apparently, 137 00:10:25,510 --> 00:10:30,150 Speaker 1: there was a new object of Philip's infatuation. But Nathaniel 138 00:10:30,250 --> 00:10:35,130 Speaker 1: couldn't show his doubt. He couldn't say what he thought. Instead, 139 00:10:35,270 --> 00:10:41,200 Speaker 1: he continued the conversation, trapped in a self-destructive loop of people-pleasing. 140 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:43,200 Speaker 2: What's his name? 141 00:10:44,300 --> 00:10:45,820 Speaker 4: Jesus of Nazareth. 142 00:10:46,660 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 2: He's the son of Joseph, the carpenter. 143 00:10:51,290 --> 00:10:54,450 Speaker 1: A loud sort of laugh accidentally popped through Nathaniel's chest 144 00:10:54,809 --> 00:10:59,809 Speaker 1: when he heard the word Nazareth. Nathaniel had a long day. 145 00:11:00,429 --> 00:11:02,810 Speaker 1: His patience and manners were eroding. 146 00:11:03,530 --> 00:11:07,470 Speaker 2: Philip, I'm sorry. First you follow a man who wore 147 00:11:07,530 --> 00:11:10,429 Speaker 2: camel fur and dunked people in the middle of the water, 148 00:11:10,450 --> 00:11:13,290 Speaker 2: and now you're telling me the Messiah is a carpenter's 149 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 2: son from Nazareth? Do you know what happens in Nazareth? 150 00:11:18,140 --> 00:11:18,500 Speaker 4: Crime. 151 00:11:19,450 --> 00:11:21,550 Speaker 2: And in the small pockets of time when someone isn't 152 00:11:21,570 --> 00:11:25,500 Speaker 2: getting robbed, people are hauling stone from the quarry. You're 153 00:11:25,510 --> 00:11:28,460 Speaker 2: telling me the Messiah's come from the city of Twigs? 154 00:11:29,420 --> 00:11:31,960 Speaker 4: I mean, can anything good come from Nazareth? 155 00:11:32,580 --> 00:11:36,940 Speaker 1: Nathaniel paused and dropped his head. He was embarrassed by 156 00:11:36,980 --> 00:11:44,050 Speaker 1: his outburst. It was unfair. It was unlike him. Nathaniel 157 00:11:44,170 --> 00:11:47,510 Speaker 1: wasn't the type to shut anyone down or insult someone's homes. 158 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:51,530 Speaker 1: But the day had been long, and he just wanted 159 00:11:51,570 --> 00:11:51,949 Speaker 1: to sleep. 160 00:11:52,950 --> 00:11:55,630 Speaker 4: Philip, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. 161 00:11:56,610 --> 00:11:58,650 Speaker 3: Come and see for yourself, Nathaniel. 162 00:11:59,190 --> 00:12:00,190 Speaker 4: Come and see what I mean. 163 00:12:00,809 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 1: Philip was calm and sure of his words. His childlike 164 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 1: joy was still present, but there was also something else 165 00:12:09,620 --> 00:12:10,680 Speaker 1: behind his smile. 166 00:12:12,179 --> 00:12:12,439 Speaker 2: Faith. 167 00:12:14,420 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 1: Philip spoke as if God had parted the heavens and 168 00:12:17,610 --> 00:12:24,949 Speaker 1: confirmed it himself. Nathaniel rubbed his eyes, paused, and nodded. 169 00:12:27,170 --> 00:12:30,190 Speaker 1: Lead the way. Nathaniel was curious to meet the man 170 00:12:30,210 --> 00:12:33,490 Speaker 1: who had given Philip that look in his eye. The 171 00:12:33,530 --> 00:12:38,120 Speaker 1: sun retreated into the horizon. The clouds had captured the 172 00:12:38,170 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: final rays of light, radiating a dark orange like giant 173 00:12:43,059 --> 00:12:47,410 Speaker 1: oil lamps. Nathaniel followed Philip outside the city to the sea. 174 00:12:49,050 --> 00:12:52,410 Speaker 1: A large fire was made on the sand, surrounded by 175 00:12:52,490 --> 00:12:59,290 Speaker 1: familiar faces, James, John, Andrew, and Simon. They stood around 176 00:12:59,309 --> 00:13:04,270 Speaker 1: the fire, laughing and enjoying each other's company. There was 177 00:13:04,309 --> 00:13:08,370 Speaker 1: another man among them. He wore the clothes of a craftsman. 178 00:13:09,809 --> 00:13:13,220 Speaker 1: His smile reflected the warmth of the flame, and his 179 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:16,470 Speaker 1: laugh filled the air like the melody of a beloved 180 00:13:16,540 --> 00:13:24,150 Speaker 1: childhood song, familiar and comforting. Before Philip could introduce Nathaniel, 181 00:13:24,870 --> 00:13:25,810 Speaker 1: the stranger looked. 182 00:13:25,650 --> 00:13:30,070 Speaker 4: At him and said, Ah, Nathaniel, an Israelite in whom 183 00:13:30,130 --> 00:13:33,170 Speaker 4: there is no deceit, a truly good man. 184 00:13:33,910 --> 00:13:34,350 Speaker 2: Welcome. 185 00:13:35,170 --> 00:13:41,340 Speaker 1: Nathaniel paused. Insecure and invasive thoughts flooded his mind. How 186 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: could the stranger know that Nathaniel was a good and 187 00:13:44,179 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: honest man? How could he have known those were the 188 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:52,340 Speaker 1: exact words he needed to hear? He cocked his head 189 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:55,620 Speaker 1: to the side. He was sure he had never met 190 00:13:55,660 --> 00:13:59,550 Speaker 1: this man before, but perhaps his memory had betrayed him. 191 00:14:01,300 --> 00:14:02,260 Speaker 4: How do you know me? 192 00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:07,530 Speaker 1: The man stepped forward, his grin now entirely illuminated by 193 00:14:07,570 --> 00:14:08,150 Speaker 1: the firelight. 194 00:14:09,130 --> 00:14:11,689 Speaker 4: I was with you under the fig tree. Before Philip 195 00:14:11,730 --> 00:14:14,190 Speaker 4: called you, I saw you, Nathaniel. 196 00:14:14,990 --> 00:14:20,070 Speaker 1: You saw me under the fig tree? Nathaniel's voice cracked. 197 00:14:21,710 --> 00:14:25,210 Speaker 1: Nobody knew about the fig tree. It was a place 198 00:14:25,250 --> 00:14:27,650 Speaker 1: for him to be alone with his thoughts and to 199 00:14:27,710 --> 00:14:28,150 Speaker 1: pray to. 200 00:14:30,070 --> 00:14:30,850 Speaker 2: Could he be? 201 00:14:31,650 --> 00:14:36,520 Speaker 1: Nathaniel felt his emotional walls shaking. The guard he had 202 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:41,670 Speaker 1: put up was crumbling stone by stone. There was only 203 00:14:41,790 --> 00:14:45,250 Speaker 1: one explanation for this man seeing Nathaniel under the fig tree. 204 00:14:46,970 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 1: This man somehow heard Nathaniel's anxious and insecure prayers to God. 205 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: Perhaps something good had come out of Nazareth. After all, 206 00:14:55,780 --> 00:14:59,660 Speaker 1: Nathaniel's knees buckled, and the tears he had held back 207 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:04,990 Speaker 1: for years finally broke through. His tears soaked the sand 208 00:15:05,050 --> 00:15:09,910 Speaker 1: below Jesus' feet as Nathaniel declared, Rabbi! 209 00:15:11,020 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 2: Truly, you are the Son of God. You are the one. 210 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:20,570 Speaker 1: We've been waiting for. Nobody had ever seen Nathaniel break 211 00:15:20,610 --> 00:15:25,230 Speaker 1: like this. He was the best among them, the steady 212 00:15:25,330 --> 00:15:31,770 Speaker 1: and unshakable Nathaniel. But being known by Jesus, melted away 213 00:15:31,830 --> 00:15:37,670 Speaker 1: the mask of perfection, allowing him to finally breathe. He 214 00:15:37,710 --> 00:15:44,110 Speaker 1: was unburdened and light, Nathaniel broke down at Jesus' feet, 215 00:15:44,830 --> 00:15:49,010 Speaker 1: gripping the sand tightly in his fists. He had tried 216 00:15:49,150 --> 00:15:53,290 Speaker 1: so hard to be strong for others, but somehow along 217 00:15:53,350 --> 00:15:58,060 Speaker 1: the way he lost himself. He wasn't sure anyone would 218 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 1: ever understand him, including himself. Yet Jesus had seen him. 219 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:09,980 Speaker 1: Jesus heard his prayers of doubt and fear. Jesus had 220 00:16:10,060 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: seen his darkness. and insecurity. Yet he still called Nathaniel 221 00:16:17,380 --> 00:16:24,990 Speaker 1: a good man, a man without deceit. Nathaniel didn't feel 222 00:16:25,030 --> 00:16:29,730 Speaker 1: like a man without deceit, but perhaps Jesus was calling 223 00:16:29,790 --> 00:16:33,100 Speaker 1: him up to something instead of declaring what he already 224 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:39,300 Speaker 1: knew to be true. Perhaps with time, Nathaniel could learn 225 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:48,130 Speaker 1: to live honestly before others, Jesus knelt to Nathaniel and 226 00:16:48,170 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 1: placed a firm hand on his shoulder. With a friendly chuckle, 227 00:16:52,670 --> 00:16:55,780 Speaker 1: Jesus said, You. 228 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 4: Believe because I told you I saw you under a 229 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:02,420 Speaker 4: fig tree? My friend, you will see far greater things 230 00:17:02,460 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 4: than that. I tell you this, Nathaniel, you will see 231 00:17:06,070 --> 00:17:10,690 Speaker 4: heaven open and angels ascending and descending everywhere. 232 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:15,190 Speaker 1: On the Son of Man. Nathaniel looked up at Jesus 233 00:17:15,330 --> 00:17:21,930 Speaker 1: with watering eyes and nodded. His life would never be 234 00:17:21,970 --> 00:17:23,010 Speaker 1: the same again. 235 00:17:26,890 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 3: Life is full of tension and competing desires. As we 236 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:33,620 Speaker 3: navigate each day, we face conflicting emotions, thoughts, and feelings. 237 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 3: One of these internal conflicts is our hope to be 238 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,530 Speaker 3: seen and our desire to feel safe. To be known 239 00:17:39,690 --> 00:17:42,750 Speaker 3: often means to be vulnerable. We want to feel connected 240 00:17:42,770 --> 00:17:45,780 Speaker 3: to others, sure, but we also have this physiological need 241 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:48,780 Speaker 3: to feel safe. And sometimes those feelings are at odds 242 00:17:48,820 --> 00:17:52,020 Speaker 3: with one another. Being in community means to be vulnerable, 243 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,860 Speaker 3: and we don't want to feel vulnerable. Being seen also 244 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 3: means to be exposed in some sense. It means allowing 245 00:17:58,140 --> 00:18:00,830 Speaker 3: others to see what's happening under the surface. To be 246 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:03,490 Speaker 3: known for the depths of your heart, the intricacies of 247 00:18:03,530 --> 00:18:06,669 Speaker 3: your mind, your troubles, your worries, and your fears. You see, 248 00:18:06,710 --> 00:18:09,669 Speaker 3: this tension creates an unhealthy dichotomy of what we're feeling 249 00:18:09,710 --> 00:18:12,149 Speaker 3: inside and what we allow other people to see on 250 00:18:12,190 --> 00:18:15,709 Speaker 3: the surface. For a lot of us, our interactions are 251 00:18:15,850 --> 00:18:18,689 Speaker 3: skin deep. We put on masks and hide who we 252 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 3: really are because we feel like if we expose ourselves 253 00:18:21,619 --> 00:18:24,699 Speaker 3: to others, they're not going to fully accept us. But 254 00:18:24,740 --> 00:18:27,399 Speaker 3: there's a terrible cycle to all of that. When we 255 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:30,220 Speaker 3: don't allow ourselves to be fully known, we don't feel 256 00:18:30,300 --> 00:18:32,780 Speaker 3: the full acceptance of people. And so no matter how 257 00:18:32,820 --> 00:18:35,139 Speaker 3: many companions we have around us, we're always going to 258 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,959 Speaker 3: feel lonely. and that loneliness will lead us to make 259 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:42,040 Speaker 3: some pretty unhealthy decisions. Left unaddressed, these types of tensions 260 00:18:42,060 --> 00:18:44,700 Speaker 3: will pull us apart until we're at the end of ourselves. 261 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 3: This is the very issue that torments Nathaniel before he 262 00:18:48,020 --> 00:18:54,550 Speaker 3: meets Jesus. He felt unseen, unheard, unloved, invisible. Jesus' ministry 263 00:18:54,609 --> 00:18:57,510 Speaker 3: was marked by a recurring theme of finding people and 264 00:18:57,550 --> 00:19:00,469 Speaker 3: allowing these two sides of themselves to be integrated into one. 265 00:19:01,180 --> 00:19:03,360 Speaker 3: As he traveled from city to city, he would take 266 00:19:03,420 --> 00:19:05,980 Speaker 3: time to not just be around people, but to truly 267 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:09,140 Speaker 3: be with them. Jesus sat and talked with sincere interest. 268 00:19:09,380 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 3: He listened and gleaned with undisrupted attentiveness. Jesus didn't come 269 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 3: to earth for fame and accolades. Jesus came to seek 270 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,010 Speaker 3: and save the lost. He came to see us, to 271 00:19:19,070 --> 00:19:22,210 Speaker 3: know us, relate to us, and bless us. Maybe you've 272 00:19:22,230 --> 00:19:25,250 Speaker 3: been feeling a little bit like Nathaniel lately, doing everything 273 00:19:25,270 --> 00:19:28,170 Speaker 3: you can to live a good life, but rarely left 274 00:19:28,290 --> 00:19:31,179 Speaker 3: feeling seen. You might feel like you're standing in the 275 00:19:31,220 --> 00:19:33,359 Speaker 3: dark corner of a room, out of sight and out 276 00:19:33,380 --> 00:19:36,680 Speaker 3: of mind. But Jesus sees you, my friend. He sees 277 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,070 Speaker 3: all of you. And on top of that, he loves 278 00:19:39,109 --> 00:19:41,649 Speaker 3: you with every ounce of love that he has to give. 279 00:19:42,410 --> 00:19:45,290 Speaker 3: Here's a profound truth for you. Cling to this reality 280 00:19:45,330 --> 00:19:48,330 Speaker 3: with dear life because it's the essence of life and 281 00:19:48,369 --> 00:19:53,710 Speaker 3: growth in Christ. you are completely seen and known by Jesus. 282 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 3: All of your flaws, all of your darkness, all of 283 00:19:56,760 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 3: the thoughts that you keep from others, those parts of 284 00:19:59,780 --> 00:20:02,880 Speaker 3: you and those things that you truly love, those dreams 285 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:05,020 Speaker 3: that you have for the future, they are all laid 286 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:09,450 Speaker 3: bare and seen by Jesus. Yet, in the midst of 287 00:20:09,630 --> 00:20:13,110 Speaker 3: all of that, you're accepted and unconditionally loved by him. 288 00:20:13,770 --> 00:20:18,359 Speaker 3: That is a beautiful, beautiful reality. Jesus sees everything. He 289 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:20,640 Speaker 3: sees all of your flaws and your sins, the darkest 290 00:20:20,700 --> 00:20:22,959 Speaker 3: parts of you. And there's so much of us that 291 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,820 Speaker 3: we hide from others because we think we won't be accepted. 292 00:20:26,180 --> 00:20:29,340 Speaker 3: But Jesus sees it and he accepts you. And you're 293 00:20:29,380 --> 00:20:32,060 Speaker 3: not just left there. He sees you, but he's also 294 00:20:32,100 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 3: going to draw the best out of you. Perhaps that's 295 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:36,500 Speaker 3: a new thought for some of us, that we can 296 00:20:36,540 --> 00:20:39,500 Speaker 3: be fully known and still fully loved. If that's you, 297 00:20:39,580 --> 00:20:42,699 Speaker 3: I want to encourage you to reframe your associations with 298 00:20:42,790 --> 00:20:45,830 Speaker 3: what it means to be seen. Where once we may 299 00:20:45,890 --> 00:20:49,360 Speaker 3: have equated it with the possibilities of judgment, rejection, or weakness, 300 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:53,419 Speaker 3: in Jesus we can feel justified, accepted, and strengthened when 301 00:20:53,460 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 3: we open up to him and give him our entire lives. 302 00:20:57,380 --> 00:20:59,980 Speaker 3: When the prophet and judge Samuel is sent to find 303 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,199 Speaker 3: a young shepherd named David to anoint him as the 304 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,010 Speaker 3: next king of Israel, the Lord reminds him that he 305 00:21:05,050 --> 00:21:08,169 Speaker 3: doesn't look at the outward appearance. He considers the heart. 306 00:21:08,930 --> 00:21:11,490 Speaker 3: The fear of being seen is only present when we're 307 00:21:11,590 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 3: unsure of the thoughts others have towards us. But the 308 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:17,399 Speaker 3: Bible is filled with an array of God's wonderful thoughts 309 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:21,350 Speaker 3: towards you. He calls you beloved, his child, his friend, 310 00:21:21,869 --> 00:21:26,510 Speaker 3: and many other beautiful identities. God isn't impressed with your successes, 311 00:21:26,550 --> 00:21:30,570 Speaker 3: your accolades, your popularity with the world. He doesn't turn 312 00:21:30,609 --> 00:21:33,830 Speaker 3: his attention towards you because you've drawn his gaze by 313 00:21:33,890 --> 00:21:37,600 Speaker 3: making much of yourself. He finds you because he cares 314 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:40,500 Speaker 3: for you and wants to be with you. Though we 315 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 3: were all lost to sin, we have been found in him. 316 00:21:43,460 --> 00:21:46,180 Speaker 3: We are his creation made in his image, and that's 317 00:21:46,260 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 3: more than enough for him. We have to allow God 318 00:21:48,820 --> 00:21:51,139 Speaker 3: to renew our minds as we receive these types of 319 00:21:51,220 --> 00:21:54,500 Speaker 3: affirmations through his word and in prayer. Don't be discouraged 320 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:57,290 Speaker 3: if it takes time. We have to allow new neurological 321 00:21:57,350 --> 00:21:59,990 Speaker 3: networks to form in our brains as the Spirit performs 322 00:22:00,050 --> 00:22:02,310 Speaker 3: a new work in our hearts. What we used to 323 00:22:02,369 --> 00:22:05,470 Speaker 3: associate as danger with being exposed and seen by others, 324 00:22:05,530 --> 00:22:08,010 Speaker 3: we now have to see as an opportunity for growth 325 00:22:08,050 --> 00:22:11,330 Speaker 3: and acceptance in Jesus. And that process will take a 326 00:22:11,350 --> 00:22:14,090 Speaker 3: lot of time. And it will take diving deeply into 327 00:22:14,130 --> 00:22:16,610 Speaker 3: the Word of God so that you can remind yourself 328 00:22:16,710 --> 00:22:20,150 Speaker 3: daily that God actually doesn't just love you, but likes you. 329 00:22:20,690 --> 00:22:24,230 Speaker 3: He doesn't just consider you as a child, you're beloved. 330 00:22:24,580 --> 00:22:27,170 Speaker 3: In our story, even Nathaniel has to break through these 331 00:22:27,230 --> 00:22:30,399 Speaker 3: very same walls and patterns of thinking. All he wanted 332 00:22:30,440 --> 00:22:32,440 Speaker 3: was to be noticed, and here was his chance to 333 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:34,379 Speaker 3: meet a man who was supposed to fill him with 334 00:22:34,500 --> 00:22:37,760 Speaker 3: all of his heart's greatest desires. Yet, in his mind, 335 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:40,320 Speaker 3: he was opposed to the opportunity as a means to 336 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:43,960 Speaker 3: guard himself. from disappointment. What if he put his best 337 00:22:43,980 --> 00:22:46,230 Speaker 3: foot forward and it still wasn't enough to feel seen? 338 00:22:46,810 --> 00:22:49,149 Speaker 3: But Philip wouldn't take no for an answer. That's because 339 00:22:49,230 --> 00:22:51,830 Speaker 3: he had experienced the joy of being seen and known 340 00:22:51,869 --> 00:22:55,050 Speaker 3: by Jesus himself, and he wanted the same for Nathaniel. 341 00:22:55,540 --> 00:22:58,400 Speaker 3: Philip wasn't pushing Nathaniel simply because he thought he was right. 342 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:01,640 Speaker 3: He was pulling Nathaniel to come alongside him because he 343 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 3: had found something in Jesus to be amazing. You see, 344 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 3: once we felt the freedom of being fully known and 345 00:23:07,290 --> 00:23:10,440 Speaker 3: loved by God, we'll want others to be released from 346 00:23:10,460 --> 00:23:13,770 Speaker 3: the same depressions of hiding and being overlooked. To put 347 00:23:13,790 --> 00:23:17,669 Speaker 3: this idea into a short phrase, found people, find people. 348 00:23:18,210 --> 00:23:20,490 Speaker 3: This would be the very mission of the 12 disciples, 349 00:23:20,630 --> 00:23:23,330 Speaker 3: including Philip and Nathanael, as they would be sent to 350 00:23:23,410 --> 00:23:25,990 Speaker 3: find the lost and lonely and preach the good news 351 00:23:26,040 --> 00:23:28,399 Speaker 3: of the gospel. We read in the Great Commission of 352 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:31,340 Speaker 3: Matthew 28, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, 353 00:23:31,420 --> 00:23:33,460 Speaker 3: baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, 354 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:36,020 Speaker 3: and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything 355 00:23:36,060 --> 00:23:38,780 Speaker 3: I have commanded you, And surely I'm with you always, 356 00:23:38,980 --> 00:23:41,700 Speaker 3: even to the end of the age. True joy from 357 00:23:41,740 --> 00:23:44,869 Speaker 3: being found and known by God is a catalytic chain 358 00:23:45,109 --> 00:23:48,449 Speaker 3: where individuals pull others into the community of God as 359 00:23:48,490 --> 00:23:51,909 Speaker 3: he's building it around himself. In some ways, we all 360 00:23:51,950 --> 00:23:54,619 Speaker 3: hide parts of ourselves. We hide from the outside world, 361 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 3: only allowing certain aspects of ourselves to be fully known 362 00:23:57,900 --> 00:24:00,340 Speaker 3: and seen. The parts we think are the best parts. 363 00:24:00,740 --> 00:24:04,060 Speaker 3: This ultimately leaves us feeling fragmented and afraid of letting 364 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:06,730 Speaker 3: our true colors out. But all the while, we still 365 00:24:06,810 --> 00:24:10,109 Speaker 3: long deep down to be completely noticed and recognized by others. 366 00:24:10,570 --> 00:24:13,150 Speaker 3: We want to be seen, heard, and embraced and encouraged 367 00:24:13,190 --> 00:24:15,800 Speaker 3: for who we are. We can take heart in the 368 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:18,980 Speaker 3: fact that God finds us and seeks us out. And 369 00:24:19,020 --> 00:24:21,500 Speaker 3: we could be surrounded by other followers of Jesus who 370 00:24:21,540 --> 00:24:23,980 Speaker 3: want to know and love us as well. It's important 371 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,090 Speaker 3: in our walk with the Lord that we forge genuine 372 00:24:26,119 --> 00:24:30,270 Speaker 3: relationships and build trust and vulnerability with each other. It's 373 00:24:30,310 --> 00:24:33,090 Speaker 3: a gift to feel like we belong amongst other believers. 374 00:24:33,609 --> 00:24:35,790 Speaker 3: Getting here, though, takes time and it requires that we 375 00:24:35,810 --> 00:24:38,840 Speaker 3: feel safe. But soon enough, we'll find peace of being 376 00:24:38,910 --> 00:24:42,699 Speaker 3: known and fully accepted. Don't let yourself continue to be 377 00:24:42,760 --> 00:24:46,020 Speaker 3: burdened by feelings of being unseen. Whether you're in a 378 00:24:46,060 --> 00:24:48,800 Speaker 3: season of stability or feeling like you're barely keeping your 379 00:24:48,820 --> 00:24:51,639 Speaker 3: head above water, our souls long to be seen and 380 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:55,560 Speaker 3: known by God and by others. Today, take small and 381 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:59,909 Speaker 3: actionable steps to feel known, to make yourself known, and 382 00:24:59,930 --> 00:25:04,479 Speaker 3: to go before God honestly. You see, transformation only occurs 383 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:07,780 Speaker 3: when the real you is brought before the real Jesus. 384 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,480 Speaker 3: You have to understand who you are, bring yourself before 385 00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:13,020 Speaker 3: the Lord, and allow his love to have its full 386 00:25:13,060 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 3: effect on your life. Thank you for listening to another 387 00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:19,060 Speaker 3: episode of The Jesus Podcast. In our next episode, we're 388 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:20,820 Speaker 3: going to meet a man by the name of Matthew. 389 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:24,439 Speaker 3: Some call him Levi. Matthew is a tax collector and 390 00:25:24,550 --> 00:25:27,430 Speaker 3: rejected by his own people because, well, he's made a 391 00:25:27,450 --> 00:25:30,070 Speaker 3: lot of mistakes in his life. But what will change 392 00:25:30,310 --> 00:25:33,959 Speaker 3: once he's face-to-face with Jesus? Be sure to follow this 393 00:25:34,020 --> 00:25:36,379 Speaker 3: podcast if you haven't yet and share it with a 394 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:39,040 Speaker 3: couple of friends. We want to create a community of 395 00:25:39,119 --> 00:25:43,450 Speaker 3: people that are stirred by great storytelling, but also transformed 396 00:25:43,530 --> 00:25:47,330 Speaker 3: by meditations through the gospel stories. See you next time.