1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,780 Speaker 1: You have searched me and you know me. You know 2 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my 3 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:14,460 Speaker 1: thoughts from afar. Psalm 139, 1 and 2. Dear Lord, 4 00:00:15,690 --> 00:00:19,750 Speaker 1: thank you for being a God who sees. You see 5 00:00:19,810 --> 00:00:24,070 Speaker 1: our rising and our falling. You have numbered every hair 6 00:00:24,170 --> 00:00:30,050 Speaker 1: on our heads and know our anxieties, fears, and insecurities. 7 00:00:32,150 --> 00:00:36,089 Speaker 1: Our flaws are not hidden from you, yet you love 8 00:00:36,150 --> 00:00:40,489 Speaker 1: us anyway. Every sin and dark part of our hearts 9 00:00:40,770 --> 00:00:44,890 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 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 1: There is not a person on this earth whose love 12 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:02,950 Speaker 1: and attention can match yours. Today we pray that we 13 00:01:02,990 --> 00:01:07,630 Speaker 1: would walk as confident people, free from the insecurity of 14 00:01:07,730 --> 00:01:13,990 Speaker 1: feeling hidden or unknown. You see us, walk with us, 15 00:01:14,870 --> 00:01:20,530 Speaker 1: and call us to great things. May we walk boldly today. 16 00:01:22,270 --> 00:01:23,830 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name we pray. 17 00:01:25,610 --> 00:01:25,870 Speaker 2: Amen. 18 00:01:27,709 --> 00:01:30,669 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 19 00:01:30,709 --> 00:01:35,100 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast. Stories inspired by the life and ministry 20 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 1: of Jesus. Today, we take another look at a gospel-inspired 21 00:01:39,540 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: story to find peace and mental health. Let's begin. Follow 22 00:01:45,050 --> 00:01:49,130 Speaker 1: this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so 23 00:01:49,390 --> 00:01:52,870 Speaker 1: will keep you updated, but also help us get discovered 24 00:01:52,930 --> 00:01:56,630 Speaker 1: by more people. We want the story of Jesus to 25 00:01:56,690 --> 00:02:00,710 Speaker 1: be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. 26 00:02:03,130 --> 00:02:06,430 Speaker 1: Nathaniel marched up the hills outside the walls of Besaida. 27 00:02:07,790 --> 00:02:11,690 Speaker 1: Each step was torturous as he wrestled with a whirlwind 28 00:02:11,730 --> 00:02:18,489 Speaker 1: of emotions. His eyes were brimming with unshed tears. Each 29 00:02:18,570 --> 00:02:23,270 Speaker 1: blink was a silent battle, a determined effort to keep 30 00:02:23,310 --> 00:02:28,550 Speaker 1: his sorrow at bay. Nathaniel had always been known as 31 00:02:28,610 --> 00:02:33,090 Speaker 1: a man of integrity, skill, and honor. He had never 32 00:02:33,169 --> 00:02:39,030 Speaker 1: intentionally hurt or deceived anyone. But as Nathaniel walked away 33 00:02:39,110 --> 00:02:42,959 Speaker 1: from the city, he couldn't help but question it all. 34 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 1: He had given so much of himself, but was slighted 35 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: at every opportunity. He served everyone, but received no recognition 36 00:02:55,500 --> 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 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: was a solitary fig tree. Nathaniel sat under the sprawling 39 00:03:19,190 --> 00:03:23,780 Speaker 1: canopy of leaves. The fig tree was his sacred space, 40 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:29,580 Speaker 1: his haven from the pressures of life. He sat underneath 41 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: the shade of its branches... listening to the lullabies made 42 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: by the wind and the leaves. 43 00:03:36,220 --> 00:03:38,420 Speaker 2: Am I a good man? 44 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:46,780 Speaker 1: He whispered. Nathaniel didn't desire fame or clout. He simply 45 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:51,710 Speaker 1: wanted the feedback that he was here, loved and known. 46 00:03:53,810 --> 00:03:57,010 Speaker 1: Nathaniel had always been burdened with a weight of expectations. 47 00:03:58,650 --> 00:04:01,550 Speaker 1: He carried the trouble of those around him on his shoulders, 48 00:04:02,290 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 1: while neglecting his soul. He felt invisible, hidden by the 49 00:04:09,460 --> 00:04:15,900 Speaker 1: problems others placed upon him. Everyone knew of Nathaniel, but 50 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:21,380 Speaker 1: no one really saw him. As the early colors of 51 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:27,450 Speaker 1: dusk stroked over the hills, Nathaniel prayed to God. He 52 00:04:27,490 --> 00:04:33,839 Speaker 1: prayed with earnest, pure, and passionate questions. Nathaniel wondered if 53 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:39,020 Speaker 1: God saw him. He wondered if God cared about his suffering, hopes, 54 00:04:39,460 --> 00:04:44,010 Speaker 1: and dreams. Do you see me, Lord, or am I 55 00:04:44,089 --> 00:04:50,810 Speaker 1: invisible to you? Nathaniel refused to cry. His body shook 56 00:04:50,870 --> 00:04:55,779 Speaker 1: from holding back his anguish. He felt weak and unseen. 57 00:04:56,779 --> 00:05:02,910 Speaker 1: but wouldn't show it, not even in solitude. He buried 58 00:05:02,950 --> 00:05:08,750 Speaker 1: his head between his legs and sighed. The wind picked 59 00:05:08,810 --> 00:05:12,770 Speaker 1: up slightly, causing a few leaves to fall onto Nathaniel's 60 00:05:12,810 --> 00:05:14,219 Speaker 1: shoulders like feathers. 61 00:05:15,500 --> 00:05:18,920 Speaker 2: If only my burdens were as light as these leaves. 62 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 1: After composing himself, he stood up and retreated to the city. 63 00:05:27,830 --> 00:05:30,040 Speaker 3: If you have ever played hide and seek as a kid, 64 00:05:30,260 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 3: you know that sense of anticipation as you wait in 65 00:05:33,140 --> 00:05:37,060 Speaker 3: hiding and the exhilaration of being found. As we grow, 66 00:05:37,260 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 3: not only physically but mentally and emotionally, the idea of 67 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 3: hiding may not come with the same sense of excitement. 68 00:05:44,130 --> 00:05:47,210 Speaker 3: In fact, maybe we're afraid we'll always be left hidden, 69 00:05:47,750 --> 00:05:51,789 Speaker 3: never to be found by others. Jesus says in Luke 19, 70 00:05:51,790 --> 00:05:54,089 Speaker 3: for the Son of Man came to seek and save 71 00:05:54,130 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 3: the lost. While feeling hidden may come with pain and loneliness, 72 00:05:58,220 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 3: there's still an excitement to feeling found. Praise God that 73 00:06:02,260 --> 00:06:05,779 Speaker 3: Jesus sees you and wants to know you. This is 74 00:06:05,820 --> 00:06:09,570 Speaker 3: the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach from Pray.com. Thanks for joining 75 00:06:09,589 --> 00:06:13,210 Speaker 3: me today as we dive into another outcast encounter. Today's 76 00:06:13,250 --> 00:06:17,750 Speaker 3: story is about feeling seen, known, and understood. Moments ago, 77 00:06:17,810 --> 00:06:21,290 Speaker 3: we were introduced to Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew. He 78 00:06:21,330 --> 00:06:23,650 Speaker 3: was born in the city of Cana, the same city 79 00:06:23,710 --> 00:06:26,940 Speaker 3: where Jesus performed his first miracles turning water into wine. 80 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 3: He was your ordinary member of society in the town 81 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,180 Speaker 3: of Bethsaida, a small fishing community on the Sea of Galilee. 82 00:06:33,339 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 3: Yet despite its size, a good and upright citizen like 83 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 3: Nathaniel was left feeling marginalized, always like a stranger. In 84 00:06:40,460 --> 00:06:43,969 Speaker 3: his unmet desire to be acknowledged, he sequestered himself to 85 00:06:44,130 --> 00:06:49,730 Speaker 3: self-appointed solitude. Loneliness often compounds. When we feel unwanted and unloved, 86 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,380 Speaker 3: we tend to hide away from others, making us feel 87 00:06:52,550 --> 00:06:56,650 Speaker 3: even more unwanted and unloved. Little does Nathaniel know that 88 00:06:56,710 --> 00:06:59,710 Speaker 3: in a cosmic game of hide-and-seek, his years of waiting 89 00:06:59,750 --> 00:07:02,690 Speaker 3: to be noticed were about to change. At first, we'll 90 00:07:02,770 --> 00:07:05,650 Speaker 3: see Nathaniel was opposed to the idea of meeting Jesus, 91 00:07:06,070 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 3: feeling that it would just be another instance of putting 92 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,340 Speaker 3: a facade for others. But as we dive deeper into 93 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 3: our story, I want you to think about places in 94 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:18,420 Speaker 3: your life where you felt unseen, unnoticed, and unheard. And then, 95 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 3: allow yourself to relate to Nathaniel as an outcast, ready 96 00:07:22,060 --> 00:07:22,660 Speaker 3: to be found. 97 00:07:25,460 --> 00:07:28,810 Speaker 1: Dusk was approaching, and every merchant in the marketplace was 98 00:07:28,890 --> 00:07:33,210 Speaker 1: packing up to leave. Vendors closed up their carts and 99 00:07:33,330 --> 00:07:38,180 Speaker 1: loaded their donkeys. Nathaniel trudged through the market, avoiding eye 100 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: contact with anyone he recognized. He wanted to retreat to 101 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:47,810 Speaker 1: his blankets and hide away from the world. He rounded 102 00:07:47,850 --> 00:07:52,630 Speaker 1: the corner and bumped into a close friend, Philip. Philip 103 00:07:52,690 --> 00:07:57,559 Speaker 1: wasn't like Nathaniel. While Nathaniel always presented his best self, 104 00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:03,940 Speaker 1: Philip enjoyed interacting with the world truthfully. If Philip had questions, 105 00:08:04,540 --> 00:08:09,180 Speaker 1: he asked them. If Philip didn't understand something, he spoke up. 106 00:08:10,730 --> 00:08:14,590 Speaker 1: Philip was perfectly content to look like a fool if 107 00:08:14,670 --> 00:08:19,350 Speaker 1: it meant he could discover something new. Nathaniel had trouble 108 00:08:19,410 --> 00:08:22,910 Speaker 1: with such things. He lived in the world with a 109 00:08:23,010 --> 00:08:30,170 Speaker 1: mask of perfection. He never showed vulnerability or ignorance. As 110 00:08:30,210 --> 00:08:36,910 Speaker 1: a result, nobody truly knew the honest Nathaniel. They didn't 111 00:08:36,970 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 1: see him as he was, only as he presented himself 112 00:08:41,100 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: to be. Nathaniel, hiding his inner turmoil, forced a smile. 113 00:08:48,809 --> 00:08:51,590 Speaker 4: Ah, shalom, Philip. How are you? 114 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: Philip smiled like he had a surprise for Nathaniel. His 115 00:08:57,059 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 1: eyes shone with concealed delight. 116 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,660 Speaker 4: Nathaniel, what are you doing tonight? I have someone I 117 00:09:04,740 --> 00:09:05,420 Speaker 4: want you to meet. 118 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,950 Speaker 1: Philip's invitation shot Nathaniel in the heart like an arrow. 119 00:09:11,290 --> 00:09:14,190 Speaker 1: He didn't feel like performing for anyone or putting on 120 00:09:14,250 --> 00:09:16,710 Speaker 1: another false smile. He was exhausted. 121 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:21,660 Speaker 2: Is this just another preacher? It's been a long day, 122 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:24,660 Speaker 2: and the last time I joined you to see the baptizer, 123 00:09:25,059 --> 00:09:26,460 Speaker 2: the man spoke for hours. 124 00:09:27,660 --> 00:09:30,940 Speaker 1: Nathaniel hadn't mastered the art of replying with a simple no. 125 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:34,080 Speaker 1: He was too concerned about what others thought of him 126 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 1: to draw boundaries. Instead, he danced around the word. 127 00:09:40,020 --> 00:09:42,959 Speaker 2: Perhaps you can have him visit my shop tomorrow. I'd 128 00:09:43,020 --> 00:09:45,100 Speaker 2: love to introduce him to a few of my clients. 129 00:09:45,820 --> 00:09:46,950 Speaker 2: They could help his movement. 130 00:09:47,710 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 4: Or maybe I could. 131 00:09:49,890 --> 00:09:50,510 Speaker 2: Nathaniel! 132 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:56,420 Speaker 1: Philip interrupted. His feet nearly flew off the ground in excitement. 133 00:09:57,230 --> 00:09:59,810 Speaker 1: He came close and held Nathaniel's shoulders. 134 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 4: This man I want you to meet is no ordinary rabbi. 135 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,370 Speaker 2: He is the one Moses wrote about in the law. 136 00:10:08,350 --> 00:10:10,230 Speaker 4: He is the one whom the prophets foretold. 137 00:10:11,090 --> 00:10:15,950 Speaker 1: Nathaniel rubbed his face and forced another smile. Philip was 138 00:10:15,990 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 1: a kind man, but tended to exaggerate. When John the 139 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:25,429 Speaker 1: Baptizer began his ministry, Philip wondered if he was the Messiah. Now, apparently, 140 00:10:25,530 --> 00:10:30,150 Speaker 1: there was a new object of Philip's infatuation. But Nathaniel 141 00:10:30,270 --> 00:10:35,150 Speaker 1: couldn't show his doubt. He couldn't say what he thought. Instead, 142 00:10:35,290 --> 00:10:41,210 Speaker 1: he continued the conversation, trapped in a self-destructive loop of people-pleasing. 143 00:10:42,500 --> 00:10:47,740 Speaker 4: What's his name? Jesus of Nazareth. He's the son of Joseph, 144 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:48,939 Speaker 4: the carpenter. 145 00:10:51,309 --> 00:10:54,449 Speaker 1: A loud sort of laugh accidentally popped through Nathaniel's chest 146 00:10:54,830 --> 00:10:59,830 Speaker 1: when he heard the word Nazareth. Nathaniel had a long day. 147 00:11:00,450 --> 00:11:02,830 Speaker 1: His patience and manners were eroding. 148 00:11:03,550 --> 00:11:07,470 Speaker 2: Philip, I'm sorry. First you follow a man who wore 149 00:11:07,550 --> 00:11:10,449 Speaker 2: camel fur and dunked people in the middle of the water, 150 00:11:11,070 --> 00:11:13,290 Speaker 2: and now you're telling me the Messiah is a carpenter's 151 00:11:13,330 --> 00:11:17,230 Speaker 2: son from Nazareth? Do you know what happens in Nazareth? 152 00:11:18,130 --> 00:11:18,490 Speaker 4: Crime. 153 00:11:19,470 --> 00:11:21,550 Speaker 2: And in the small pockets of time when someone isn't 154 00:11:21,590 --> 00:11:25,510 Speaker 2: getting robbed, people are hauling stone from the quarry. You're 155 00:11:25,530 --> 00:11:28,470 Speaker 2: telling me the Messiah's come from the city of Twigs? 156 00:11:29,410 --> 00:11:31,980 Speaker 4: I mean, can anything good come from Nazareth? 157 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 1: Nathaniel paused and dropped his head. He was embarrassed by 158 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:44,060 Speaker 1: his outburst. It was unfair. It was unlike him. Nathaniel 159 00:11:44,179 --> 00:11:47,500 Speaker 1: wasn't the type to shut anyone down or insult someone's home. 160 00:11:48,900 --> 00:11:51,540 Speaker 1: But the day had been long, and he just wanted 161 00:11:51,580 --> 00:11:51,959 Speaker 1: to sleep. 162 00:11:52,970 --> 00:11:55,650 Speaker 4: Philip, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. 163 00:11:56,610 --> 00:11:58,670 Speaker 3: Come and see for yourself, Nathaniel. 164 00:11:59,190 --> 00:12:00,190 Speaker 4: Come and see what I mean. 165 00:12:00,830 --> 00:12:05,570 Speaker 1: Philip was calm and sure of his words. His childlike 166 00:12:05,650 --> 00:12:09,530 Speaker 1: joy was still present, but there was also something else 167 00:12:09,630 --> 00:12:16,020 Speaker 1: behind his smile. Faith. Philip spoke as if God had 168 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:23,750 Speaker 1: parted the heavens and confirmed it himself. Nathaniel rubbed his eyes, paused, 169 00:12:24,500 --> 00:12:24,969 Speaker 1: and nodded. 170 00:12:27,190 --> 00:12:27,790 Speaker 4: Lead the way. 171 00:12:28,510 --> 00:12:30,710 Speaker 1: Nathaniel was curious to meet the man who had given 172 00:12:30,750 --> 00:12:34,770 Speaker 1: Philip that look in his eye. The sun retreated into 173 00:12:34,809 --> 00:12:39,350 Speaker 1: the horizon. The clouds had captured the final rays of light, 174 00:12:40,290 --> 00:12:45,710 Speaker 1: radiating a dark orange like giant oil lamps. Nathaniel followed 175 00:12:45,750 --> 00:12:49,810 Speaker 1: Philip outside the city to the sea. A large fire 176 00:12:49,870 --> 00:12:56,220 Speaker 1: was made on the sand, surrounded by familiar faces, James, John, Andrew, 177 00:12:56,500 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 1: and Simon. They stood around the fire, laughing and enjoying 178 00:13:01,580 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: each other's company. There was another man among them. He 179 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:11,190 Speaker 1: wore the clothes of a craftsman. His smile reflected the 180 00:13:11,230 --> 00:13:14,940 Speaker 1: warmth of the flame, and his laugh filled the air 181 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: like the melody of a beloved childhood song, familiar and comforting. 182 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:25,860 Speaker 1: Before Philip could introduce Nathaniel, the stranger looked at him 183 00:13:25,900 --> 00:13:26,199 Speaker 1: and said. 184 00:13:26,220 --> 00:13:31,260 Speaker 4: Ah, Nathaniel, an Israelite in whom there is no deceit, 185 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:33,190 Speaker 4: a truly good man. 186 00:13:33,929 --> 00:13:34,349 Speaker 2: Welcome. 187 00:13:35,190 --> 00:13:41,340 Speaker 1: Nathaniel paused. Insecure and invasive thoughts flooded his mind. How 188 00:13:41,380 --> 00:13:44,060 Speaker 1: could the stranger know that Nathaniel was a good and 189 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: honest man? How could he have known those were the 190 00:13:48,020 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 1: exact words he needed to hear? He cocked his head 191 00:13:52,380 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 1: to the side. He was sure he had never met 192 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:59,550 Speaker 1: this man before, but perhaps his memory had betrayed him. 193 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:02,260 Speaker 4: How do you know me? 194 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:07,540 Speaker 1: The man stepped forward, his grin now entirely illuminated by 195 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 1: the firelight. 196 00:14:09,140 --> 00:14:11,679 Speaker 4: I was with you under the fig tree. Before Philip 197 00:14:11,740 --> 00:14:14,220 Speaker 4: called you, I saw you, Nathaniel. 198 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,990 Speaker 2: You saw me under the fig tree? 199 00:14:18,830 --> 00:14:24,729 Speaker 1: Nathaniel's voice cracked. Nobody knew about the fig tree. It 200 00:14:24,770 --> 00:14:26,650 Speaker 1: was a place for him to be alone with his 201 00:14:26,710 --> 00:14:28,170 Speaker 1: thoughts and to pray to. 202 00:14:30,070 --> 00:14:30,850 Speaker 4: Could he be? 203 00:14:31,650 --> 00:14:36,530 Speaker 1: Nathaniel felt his emotional walls shaking. The guard he had 204 00:14:36,570 --> 00:14:41,690 Speaker 1: put up was crumbling stone by stone. There was only 205 00:14:41,810 --> 00:14:45,290 Speaker 1: one explanation for this man seeing Nathaniel under the fig tree. 206 00:14:46,970 --> 00:14:51,070 Speaker 1: This man somehow heard Nathaniel's anxious and insecure prayers to God. 207 00:14:52,290 --> 00:14:55,090 Speaker 1: Perhaps something good had come out of Nazareth. After all, 208 00:14:55,790 --> 00:14:59,670 Speaker 1: Nathaniel's knees buckled, and the tears he had held back 209 00:14:59,770 --> 00:15:04,990 Speaker 1: for years finally broke through. His tears soaked the sand 210 00:15:05,030 --> 00:15:12,520 Speaker 1: below Jesus' feet as Nathaniel declared, Rabbi! Truly, you are 211 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 1: the Son of God. You are the one we've. 212 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 4: Been waiting for. 213 00:15:18,280 --> 00:15:22,740 Speaker 1: Nobody had ever seen Nathaniel break like this. He was 214 00:15:22,780 --> 00:15:28,550 Speaker 1: the best among them, the steady and unshakable Nathaniel. But 215 00:15:28,590 --> 00:15:32,910 Speaker 1: being known by Jesus, melted away the mask of perfection, 216 00:15:34,050 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 1: allowing him to finally breathe. He was unburdened and light. 217 00:15:42,020 --> 00:15:46,500 Speaker 1: Nathaniel broke down at Jesus' feet, gripping the sand tightly 218 00:15:46,570 --> 00:15:50,030 Speaker 1: in his fists. He had tried so hard to be 219 00:15:50,110 --> 00:15:55,350 Speaker 1: strong for others, but somehow along the way he lost himself. 220 00:15:56,950 --> 00:16:00,610 Speaker 1: He wasn't sure anyone would ever understand him, including himself. 221 00:16:01,730 --> 00:16:06,980 Speaker 1: Yet Jesus had seen him. Jesus heard his prayers of 222 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:12,660 Speaker 1: doubt and fear. Jesus had seen his darkness. and insecurity. 223 00:16:14,380 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: Yet he still called Nathaniel a good man, a man 224 00:16:20,300 --> 00:16:26,310 Speaker 1: without deceit. Nathaniel didn't feel like a man without deceit, 225 00:16:27,950 --> 00:16:31,730 Speaker 1: but perhaps Jesus was calling him up to something instead 226 00:16:31,750 --> 00:16:36,220 Speaker 1: of declaring what he already knew to be true. Perhaps 227 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:41,180 Speaker 1: with time, Nathaniel could learn to live honestly before others, 228 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:49,490 Speaker 1: Jesus knelt to Nathanael and placed a firm hand on 229 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:55,790 Speaker 1: his shoulder. With a friendly chuckle, Jesus said, You. 230 00:16:55,690 --> 00:16:58,090 Speaker 5: Believe because I told you I saw you under a 231 00:16:58,130 --> 00:17:02,430 Speaker 5: fig tree? My friend, you will see far greater things 232 00:17:02,470 --> 00:17:05,930 Speaker 5: than that. I tell you this, Nathanael, you will. 233 00:17:05,830 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 4: See heaven open and angels ascending and descending. On the 234 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:12,220 Speaker 4: Son of Man. 235 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:18,030 Speaker 1: Nathaniel looked up at Jesus with watering eyes and nodded. 236 00:17:20,210 --> 00:17:23,030 Speaker 1: His life would never be the same again. 237 00:17:26,910 --> 00:17:30,030 Speaker 3: Life is full of tension and competing desires. As we 238 00:17:30,090 --> 00:17:33,640 Speaker 3: navigate each day, we face conflicting emotions, thoughts, and feelings. 239 00:17:34,260 --> 00:17:36,500 Speaker 3: One of these internal conflicts is our hope to be 240 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,530 Speaker 3: seen and our desire to feel safe. To be known 241 00:17:39,690 --> 00:17:42,750 Speaker 3: often means to be vulnerable. We want to feel connected 242 00:17:42,790 --> 00:17:45,790 Speaker 3: to others, sure, but we also have this physiological need 243 00:17:45,810 --> 00:17:48,790 Speaker 3: to feel safe. And sometimes those feelings are at odds 244 00:17:48,830 --> 00:17:52,030 Speaker 3: with one another. Being in community means to be vulnerable, 245 00:17:52,210 --> 00:17:54,870 Speaker 3: and we don't want to feel vulnerable. Being seen also 246 00:17:54,910 --> 00:17:58,030 Speaker 3: means to be exposed in some sense. It means allowing 247 00:17:58,150 --> 00:18:00,830 Speaker 3: others to see what's happening under the surface. To be 248 00:18:00,910 --> 00:18:03,470 Speaker 3: known for the depths of your heart, the intricacies of 249 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:06,689 Speaker 3: your mind, your troubles, your worries, and your fears. You see, 250 00:18:06,730 --> 00:18:09,690 Speaker 3: this tension creates an unhealthy dichotomy of what we're feeling 251 00:18:09,730 --> 00:18:12,169 Speaker 3: inside and what we allow other people to see on 252 00:18:12,210 --> 00:18:15,709 Speaker 3: the surface. For a lot of us, our interactions are 253 00:18:15,869 --> 00:18:18,709 Speaker 3: skin deep. We put on masks and hide who we 254 00:18:18,750 --> 00:18:21,570 Speaker 3: really are because we feel like if we expose ourselves 255 00:18:21,630 --> 00:18:24,710 Speaker 3: to others, they're not going to fully accept us. But 256 00:18:24,730 --> 00:18:27,409 Speaker 3: there's a terrible cycle to all of that. When we 257 00:18:27,450 --> 00:18:30,230 Speaker 3: don't allow ourselves to be fully known, we don't feel 258 00:18:30,310 --> 00:18:32,790 Speaker 3: the full acceptance of people. And so no matter how 259 00:18:32,810 --> 00:18:35,149 Speaker 3: many companions we have around us, we're always going to 260 00:18:35,170 --> 00:18:37,979 Speaker 3: feel lonely. and that loneliness will lead us to make 261 00:18:38,020 --> 00:18:42,060 Speaker 3: some pretty unhealthy decisions. Left unaddressed, these types of tensions 262 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:44,700 Speaker 3: will pull us apart until we're at the end of ourselves. 263 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 3: This is the very issue that torments Nathaniel before he 264 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 3: meets Jesus. He felt unseen, unheard, unloved, invisible. Jesus' ministry 265 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,500 Speaker 3: was marked by a recurring theme of finding people and 266 00:18:57,560 --> 00:19:00,480 Speaker 3: allowing these two sides of themselves to be integrated into one. 267 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:03,380 Speaker 3: As he traveled from city to city, he would take 268 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 3: time to not just be around people, but to truly 269 00:19:06,060 --> 00:19:09,160 Speaker 3: be with them. Jesus sat and talked with sincere interest. 270 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:13,500 Speaker 3: He listened and gleaned with undisrupted attentiveness. Jesus didn't come 271 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 3: to earth for fame and accolades. Jesus came to seek 272 00:19:16,619 --> 00:19:19,020 Speaker 3: and save the lost. He came to see us, to 273 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:22,220 Speaker 3: know us, relate to us, and bless us. Maybe you've 274 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:25,240 Speaker 3: been feeling a little bit like Nathaniel lately, doing everything 275 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,180 Speaker 3: you can to live a good life, but rarely left 276 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 3: feeling seen. You might feel like you're standing in the 277 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:33,379 Speaker 3: dark corner of a room, out of sight and out 278 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:36,700 Speaker 3: of mind. But Jesus sees you, my friend. He sees 279 00:19:36,859 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 3: all of you. And on top of that, he loves 280 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:41,639 Speaker 3: you with every ounce of love that he has to give. 281 00:19:42,430 --> 00:19:45,310 Speaker 3: Here's a profound truth for you. Cling to this reality 282 00:19:45,350 --> 00:19:48,350 Speaker 3: with dear life because it's the essence of life and 283 00:19:48,390 --> 00:19:53,710 Speaker 3: growth in Christ. You are completely seen and known by Jesus. 284 00:19:53,850 --> 00:19:56,730 Speaker 3: All of your flaws, all of your darkness, all of 285 00:19:56,770 --> 00:19:59,730 Speaker 3: the thoughts that you keep from others, those parts of 286 00:19:59,790 --> 00:20:02,880 Speaker 3: you and those things that you truly love, those dreams 287 00:20:02,910 --> 00:20:05,020 Speaker 3: that you have for the future, they are all laid 288 00:20:05,100 --> 00:20:09,460 Speaker 3: bare and seen by Jesus. Yet, in the midst of 289 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:13,120 Speaker 3: all of that, you're accepted and unconditionally loved by Him. 290 00:20:13,780 --> 00:20:18,379 Speaker 3: That is a beautiful, beautiful reality. Jesus sees everything. He 291 00:20:18,420 --> 00:20:20,660 Speaker 3: sees all of your flaws and your sins, the darkest 292 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,979 Speaker 3: parts of you. And there's so much of us that 293 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 3: we hide from others because we think we won't be accepted. 294 00:20:26,180 --> 00:20:29,360 Speaker 3: But Jesus sees it, and he accepts you. And you're 295 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,080 Speaker 3: not just left there. He sees you, but he's also 296 00:20:32,100 --> 00:20:34,860 Speaker 3: going to draw the best out of you. Perhaps that's 297 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:36,520 Speaker 3: a new thought for some of us, that we can 298 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 3: be fully known and still fully loved. If that's you, 299 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:42,719 Speaker 3: I want to encourage you to reframe your associations with 300 00:20:42,790 --> 00:20:45,830 Speaker 3: what it means to be seen. Where once we may 301 00:20:45,890 --> 00:20:49,370 Speaker 3: have equated it with the possibilities of judgment, rejection, or weakness, 302 00:20:49,850 --> 00:20:53,429 Speaker 3: in Jesus we can feel justified, accepted, and strengthened when 303 00:20:53,470 --> 00:20:56,619 Speaker 3: we open up to him and give him our entire lives. 304 00:20:57,380 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 3: When the prophet and judge Samuel is sent to find 305 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,200 Speaker 3: a young shepherd named David to anoint him as the 306 00:21:02,260 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 3: next king of Israel, the Lord reminds him that he 307 00:21:05,060 --> 00:21:08,189 Speaker 3: doesn't look at the outward appearance. He considers the heart. 308 00:21:08,930 --> 00:21:11,510 Speaker 3: The fear of being seen is only present when we're 309 00:21:11,609 --> 00:21:14,740 Speaker 3: unsure of the thoughts others have towards us. But the 310 00:21:14,780 --> 00:21:17,400 Speaker 3: Bible is filled with an array of God's wonderful thoughts 311 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:21,359 Speaker 3: towards you. He calls you beloved, his child, his friend, 312 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:26,530 Speaker 3: and many other beautiful identities. God isn't impressed with your successes, 313 00:21:26,570 --> 00:21:30,590 Speaker 3: your accolades, your popularity with the world. He doesn't turn 314 00:21:30,630 --> 00:21:33,830 Speaker 3: his attention towards you because you've drawn his gaze by 315 00:21:33,910 --> 00:21:37,619 Speaker 3: making much of yourself. He finds you because he cares 316 00:21:37,670 --> 00:21:40,520 Speaker 3: for you and wants to be with you. Though we 317 00:21:40,540 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 3: were all lost to sin, we have been found in him. 318 00:21:43,470 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 3: We are His creation made in His image, and that's 319 00:21:46,260 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 3: more than enough for Him. We have to allow God 320 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:51,159 Speaker 3: to renew our minds as we receive these types of 321 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:54,520 Speaker 3: affirmations through His Word and in prayer. Don't be discouraged 322 00:21:54,540 --> 00:21:57,310 Speaker 3: if it takes time. We have to allow new neurological 323 00:21:57,369 --> 00:22:00,010 Speaker 3: networks to form in our brains as the Spirit performs 324 00:22:00,070 --> 00:22:02,330 Speaker 3: a new work in our hearts. What we used to 325 00:22:02,390 --> 00:22:05,490 Speaker 3: associate as danger with being exposed and seen by others, 326 00:22:05,550 --> 00:22:08,020 Speaker 3: we now have to see as an opportunity for growth 327 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:11,330 Speaker 3: and acceptance in Jesus. And that process will take a 328 00:22:11,350 --> 00:22:14,110 Speaker 3: lot of time. And it will take diving deeply into 329 00:22:14,130 --> 00:22:16,650 Speaker 3: the word of God so that you can remind yourself 330 00:22:16,730 --> 00:22:20,170 Speaker 3: daily that God actually doesn't just love you, but likes you. 331 00:22:20,710 --> 00:22:24,260 Speaker 3: He doesn't just consider you as a child, you're beloved. 332 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 3: In our story, even Nathaniel has to break through these 333 00:22:27,260 --> 00:22:30,399 Speaker 3: very same walls and patterns of thinking. All he wanted 334 00:22:30,460 --> 00:22:32,460 Speaker 3: was to be noticed. And here was his chance to 335 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:34,399 Speaker 3: meet a man who was supposed to fill him with 336 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,750 Speaker 3: all of his heart's greatest desires. Yet, in his mind, 337 00:22:37,890 --> 00:22:40,330 Speaker 3: he was opposed to the opportunity as a means to 338 00:22:40,450 --> 00:22:43,970 Speaker 3: guard himself from disappointment. What if he put his best 339 00:22:43,990 --> 00:22:46,230 Speaker 3: foot forward and it still wasn't enough to feel seen? 340 00:22:46,820 --> 00:22:49,160 Speaker 3: But Philip wouldn't take no for an answer. That's because 341 00:22:49,240 --> 00:22:51,840 Speaker 3: he had experienced the joy of being seen and known 342 00:22:51,880 --> 00:22:55,060 Speaker 3: by Jesus himself, and he wanted the same for Nathaniel. 343 00:22:55,540 --> 00:22:58,400 Speaker 3: Philip wasn't pushing Nathaniel simply because he thought he was right. 344 00:22:58,740 --> 00:23:01,640 Speaker 3: He was pulling Nathaniel to come alongside him because he 345 00:23:01,680 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 3: had found something in Jesus to be amazing. You see, 346 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 3: once we've felt the freedom of being fully known and 347 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:10,439 Speaker 3: loved by God, we'll want others to be released from 348 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:13,770 Speaker 3: the same depressions of hiding and being overlooked. To put 349 00:23:13,810 --> 00:23:17,690 Speaker 3: this idea into a short phrase, found people, find people. 350 00:23:18,230 --> 00:23:20,510 Speaker 3: This would be the very mission of the twelve disciples, 351 00:23:20,630 --> 00:23:23,350 Speaker 3: including Philip and Nathanael, as they would be sent to 352 00:23:23,410 --> 00:23:26,020 Speaker 3: find the lost and lonely and preach the good news 353 00:23:26,060 --> 00:23:28,419 Speaker 3: of the gospel. We read in the Great Commission of 354 00:23:28,500 --> 00:23:31,359 Speaker 3: Matthew 28, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, 355 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:33,460 Speaker 3: baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, 356 00:23:33,500 --> 00:23:36,010 Speaker 3: and the Holy Spirit. and teaching them to obey everything 357 00:23:36,050 --> 00:23:38,810 Speaker 3: I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always, 358 00:23:38,990 --> 00:23:41,720 Speaker 3: even to the end of the age. True joy from 359 00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:44,879 Speaker 3: being found and known by God is a catalytic chain 360 00:23:45,140 --> 00:23:48,460 Speaker 3: where individuals pull others into the community of God as 361 00:23:48,500 --> 00:23:51,740 Speaker 3: he is building it around himself. In some ways, we 362 00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:54,629 Speaker 3: all hide parts of ourselves. We hide from the outside world, 363 00:23:54,790 --> 00:23:57,870 Speaker 3: only allowing certain aspects of ourselves to be fully known 364 00:23:57,910 --> 00:24:00,350 Speaker 3: and seen. the parts we think are the best parts. 365 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:04,070 Speaker 3: This ultimately leaves us feeling fragmented and afraid of letting 366 00:24:04,109 --> 00:24:06,750 Speaker 3: our true colors out. But all the while, we still 367 00:24:06,830 --> 00:24:10,129 Speaker 3: long deep down to be completely noticed and recognized by others. 368 00:24:10,590 --> 00:24:13,170 Speaker 3: We want to be seen, heard, and embraced and encouraged 369 00:24:13,210 --> 00:24:15,820 Speaker 3: for who we are. We can take heart in the 370 00:24:15,859 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 3: fact that God finds us and seeks us out, and 371 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,500 Speaker 3: we could be surrounded by other followers of Jesus who 372 00:24:21,560 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 3: want to know and love us as well. It's important 373 00:24:24,020 --> 00:24:26,080 Speaker 3: in our walk with the Lord that we forge genuine 374 00:24:26,119 --> 00:24:30,260 Speaker 3: relationships and build trust and vulnerability with each other. It's 375 00:24:30,300 --> 00:24:33,120 Speaker 3: a gift to feel like we belong amongst other believers. 376 00:24:33,619 --> 00:24:35,810 Speaker 3: Getting here, though, takes time and it requires that we 377 00:24:35,850 --> 00:24:38,870 Speaker 3: feel safe. But soon enough, we'll find peace of being 378 00:24:38,930 --> 00:24:42,709 Speaker 3: known and fully accepted. Don't let yourself continue to be 379 00:24:42,770 --> 00:24:46,060 Speaker 3: burdened by feelings of being unseen. Whether you're in a 380 00:24:46,100 --> 00:24:48,820 Speaker 3: season of stability or feeling like you're barely keeping your 381 00:24:48,859 --> 00:24:51,659 Speaker 3: head above water, our souls long to be seen and 382 00:24:51,700 --> 00:24:55,570 Speaker 3: known by God and by others. Today, take small and 383 00:24:55,750 --> 00:24:59,899 Speaker 3: actionable steps to feel known, to make yourself known, and 384 00:24:59,940 --> 00:25:04,500 Speaker 3: to go before God honestly. You see, transformation only occurs 385 00:25:04,540 --> 00:25:07,800 Speaker 3: when the real you is brought before the real Jesus. 386 00:25:08,100 --> 00:25:10,500 Speaker 3: You have to understand who you are, bring yourself before 387 00:25:10,540 --> 00:25:13,020 Speaker 3: the Lord, and allow His love to have its full 388 00:25:13,080 --> 00:25:15,740 Speaker 3: effect on your life. Thank you for listening to another 389 00:25:15,780 --> 00:25:19,070 Speaker 3: episode of The Jesus Podcast. In our next episode, we're 390 00:25:19,090 --> 00:25:20,850 Speaker 3: going to meet a man by the name of Matthew. 391 00:25:21,170 --> 00:25:24,449 Speaker 3: Some call him Levi. Matthew is a tax collector and 392 00:25:24,550 --> 00:25:27,430 Speaker 3: rejected by his own people because, well, he's made a 393 00:25:27,470 --> 00:25:30,070 Speaker 3: lot of mistakes in his life. But what will change 394 00:25:30,310 --> 00:25:33,510 Speaker 3: once he's face to face with Jesus? Be sure to 395 00:25:33,550 --> 00:25:36,200 Speaker 3: follow this podcast if you haven't yet and share it 396 00:25:36,220 --> 00:25:38,399 Speaker 3: with a couple of friends. We want to create a 397 00:25:38,460 --> 00:25:42,180 Speaker 3: community of people that are stirred by great storytelling, but 398 00:25:42,300 --> 00:25:46,990 Speaker 3: also transformed by meditations through the gospel stories. See you 399 00:25:47,010 --> 00:25:47,350 Speaker 3: next time.