In November 2019, Paul Raynard, an engineer from Great Britan went to Ireland for vacation. He had always been an enthusiast for metal detecting and a friend of his asked him to bring his detector and help him look for his lost wedding ring in a field. He never found the wedding ring, but his detector alerted him to something under the ground. They started digging and found 84 gold coins dating back to the 1500’s. In all, they were awarded $125,000 by a museum in Belfast; it is known as the largest find of coins ever in Ireland. Can you imagine the excitement of finding something so valuable?
An account of one finding the greatest treasure is given for us in John 1:43-51. A man named Nathanael found Jesus with the help of his friend, Philip. He really wasn’t looking for Jesus, in particular, and was skeptical that Jesus could be the Messiah at first. However, true treasure was found when he came to see Jesus. Our greatest treasure can be found only where Nathanael found his treasure – in Jesus!
1. Nathanael found the One to whom the Old Testament was pointing
Philip said to Nathanael, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). Jesus is the One described in every corner of the Old Testament. Philip and Nathanael had been examining the Bible and they could find Jesus because they could read what the Bible had to say about Him. Moses said that One was coming – Deuteronomy 18:15-22. The prophets had much to say about Jesus (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2). Jesus said the Scriptures bear witness of who He is and what He came to accomplish (John 5:39). We can find what Nathanael found by studying God’s word.
2. Nathanael found the One who knew Him
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you” (John 1:47-48). Jesus knows you! The Psalmist makes it clear there is nowhere we can go to be from the presence of God (Psalm 139). God has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5 and see also Acts 17:27). Jesus directly said to His apostles, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). What a comfort to know that Jesus knows you!
In the end, Nathanael would exclaim, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49). Let’s seek the greatest treasure that can found – Jesus, the Son of God! Find the joy in Jesus that someone before you found to the point that they were willing to tell you about Him and may that same joy motivate you to tell others about Him. Find what the Bible has to say about Jesus and the will of God and happily search to know more. Find your evidence upon which to build your trust and obedience (faith) in Him. Find the One who knows you and wants only to have a relationship with you. Indeed, there is no greater treasure!
– Adam Orr
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