August 24, 2025

Today's Reading: John 1:43-51

Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 5:1-18; 1 Kings 6:1-7:50; 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:17

“Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’... Nathanael answered Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’” (John 1:46, 49)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

For Nathanel, also known as Bartholomew, there was “no skin off my back” for telling the truth. He tells it like it is, even if the truth wouldn’t be popular or well-received. “An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” (v. 47) 

Philip knows this. He knows that this man of truth needs to meet Jesus. Although he doesn’t hold back his skepticism that anything good could come out of Nazareth, Christ has compassion and lets Bartholomew know. Whatever hurt, brokenness, or time of prayer he went through under that fig tree, Jesus saw him and knew him. Now, the Son of God and King of Israel was calling him to be His disciple.

Are you one who tells the truth, even if it is not popular or well-received? Or is there deceit in your life—lies and cover-ups for your secrets and exaggerations? No matter what, Jesus comes to you. The Son of God has seen you under your “fig tree.” Just like He saw Adam and Eve under their fig leaves with all of their shame and brokenness, but He doesn’t leave you there in despair, He brings comfort out of knowing He sees you. Jesus has compassion on our first parents, on Bartholomew, and on you. At the fig tree, it is not a sense of “Oh! I’ve been caught!” but a comfort that the Son of God and King of Israel cares for you and calls and gathers you to Himself!

Bartholomew met a rather gruesome end in this earthly life. You see, Bartholomew was martyred for telling the truth of Christ in Armenia. Sadly, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the Son of God meant there was “skin off his back,” as St. Bartholomew was skinned alive and then killed. Yet we rejoice that this wasn’t the end for Batholomew; this holy martyr is alive in Christ. This saint in whom there is no deceit is resting in perfect peace with the King of Israel right now, awaiting the Day of Resurrection, when his skin and his entire body will be resurrected and glorified, to live eternally with the Son of God whom he preached.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, chose Bartholomew to be an apostle to preach the blessed Gospel. Grant that Your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

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