““How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” John 1:48-49 NLT

In every kind of love story, there is a moment of recognition where one soul sees into the soul of another and finds a place to rest and call home.  For many, like Nathaniel, it can be on the very first meeting.  A look, something that was said, the sound of someone’s voice, it feels familiar and there is a deep stirring. These moments are personal, uniquely crafted, and unexplainable to anyone else in the vacinity. 

Matthew was a tax collector.  While in the middle of a workday, sitting at a tax booth, he looked up to see Jesus stop in front of him.  The Master said, “Follow me!”  Matthew rose from the table and never looked back.  There was instant recognition somewhere deep inside. Something in him awakened. 

On another occasion, Jesus walked down a road and called up to a man in the tree.  He called this lone sheep by name.  Zacchaeus.  The surprised man, perched on a limb, responded instantly and took Jesus joyfully into his home. He lost all sense that he might eventually become the talk of the town.

On another day, Jesus went into Galilee to find a man named Philip.  The call was the same. “Follow me,” Jesus said.  And he did. Philip went to find Nathaniel who questioned him about the validity of any man coming out of Nazareth. But upon meeting Jesus for himself, that same moment of recognition occurred between the two men. Nathaniel’s spirit, quickened by Jesus’ words, came to life. Words of new faith came out like a torrent.

When my last breath is drawn on this earth and I open my eyes on the shores of heaven, the thing I look forward to most is hearing Jesus welcome me home – by name.  None will have said ‘Christine’ quite like him. How many times will He say to me, “Christine, I saw you when you were . . .”  All the times I wondered if I was alone will be healed in the presence of He who is faithful. 

Your voice can be heard in all the earth. It is also heard deep in my spirit. For the many who hear and recognize You as the One speaking, we are forever changed. Amen