Seen. Known. Cherished.

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

Contemplative beach

I’m back! My break was a little longer than anticipated, but I found myself in need of much rest after a demanding two and a half months of nonstop travel around the U.S. Though our trip was an unforgettable blessing, I am thrilled to be home in my warm Amazon Jungle. And I’m wishing you an amazing New Year – may it be the best you have yet known, filled to overflowing with the revelation of Jesus’ particular love for you.

Onto today’s devotional:

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“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and exclaimed, ‘Look, a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’” (John 1:47-48, NET).

Can you imagine what it must have felt like to be Nathanael in the moment described here? Give this a try: insert yourself in the story as him.

You are following your buddy Philip to go see a Man who has amazed him. What is all the excitement about? you wonder. Right after that, you catch a glimpse of Him. He looks directly at you as you approach Him. His gaze arrests you. He stares right into your soul. Immediately, tangible kindness travels from His eyes into the depths of you.

Then He announces who you are. Not your name, mind you… but the essence of your spirit. The essence of who you were created to be. You become keenly aware, in that moment, that He somehow, truly knows you. The question erupts before you can contain yourself – “How… how do You know me?”

Turns out, He’s been watching you – in a most wonderful way. Watching you with spiritual eyes that see far beyond His physical surroundings. Watching you with eyes that penetrate into the core of you. Watching you with eyes that take great delight in every aspect of you.

Yes, Jesus knows you, dear one. He knows absolutely everything about you, and He cherishes you. Just as you are.

This, my friend, this is the basis of discipleship. Look at the spontaneous response that Jesus’ love invokes:

“Nathanael answered him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel!’” ( v. 49).

When Jesus tells us who we are, this helps us learn more about who He is. When we find out how intimately He knows us, and how profoundly He cherishes us, our heart leaps up in desire to follow Him. We love because He first loved us.

I love the last part of this story, too:

“Jesus said to him, ‘Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ He continued, ‘I tell all of you the solemn truth – you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'” (vv. 50-51).

Jesus calls out our identity. He tells us who we were born to be. When we respond to His naming of us, it fills His heart with joy. With excitement, He promises, “This is just the beginning. I have so much more in store for you!” As this narrative concludes, He promises to show Nathanael His glory, the very wonders of heaven. When you and I respond to His pursuit with faith-filled worship, He promises us the same.

Dear one, Jesus sees you. Right now, He’s watching you with eyes overflowing with devotion to you. You are seen. You are known. You are cherished. Respond to His love with joy – He has so much more to show you!

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What has Jesus shown you about who you are? Has He encouraged your heart recently about who He created you to be? In what ways?

39 thoughts on “Seen. Known. Cherished.”

  1. My dear Jennifer, how wonderful to read once again one of your beautiful revelations. I’ve missed you very much, my sister!
    I thought about Jesus and Nathaniel lately and that Jesus dwells both on the spiritual and in the physical realm. It is possible for us too. My daughter, for example, sees both realms. Everytime we talk about Jesus she sees Him. She prays like this: God, I want to see you not where You’ve been, not where You’ll be, but where You are right now. And there He is!
    I wish we all could meet Him and hear His incredible voice.
    Peace be unto you

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    1. That’s absolutely beautiful, Ana! She must have a very special seeing gift. Aaaamen to it being possible for us too — may we grow into this more and more! Thank you so much for your lovely comment, it brings me joy ❤ ❤

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  5. Nathaniel’s story reminds me of what I have realized and tried to spread to others: in all of world history, there has never been someone exactly like you. We all have been deemed necessary, with roles to play and gifts and talents provided in order to play those roles. It should be a humbling thought, and at the same time empowering and exciting!

    Glad to have you back, dear lady 🙂 — Mike

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  6. Amen and thanks for posting!

    Your devotional was beautiful. What a picture of the Love of God!

    Please enjoy the below video by Samuel Medas Love Letter From Heaven

    May God Bless you and cause everything you put your hand to to prosper!

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      3. You’re welcome

        May all the blessings overtake you this week

        You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:Your towns and your fields will be blessed.Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed.Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed.Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.“The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!“The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.“If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. – Deuteronomy 28:2-9

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  7. Jennifer, dear sister in Christ, welcome back [home]. I will be staying in touch and responding to your much appreciated blogs. Grace, peace and joy be with you and the family. Len Wisniewski

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  8. Welcome back, Jennifer!
    I remember a film about Jesus where Nathaniel was shown having a “quiet time” under the fig tree. At one point a breeze picked up, and as he closed his eyes and smiled serenely, you could tell it was one of those very special “God moments” where he was feeling the Lord’s presence. So, a few minutes later in the film, when Jesus says, “I saw you under the fig tree,” the statement was bursting with meaning. ❤

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  10. Thank you and glad to see you back. I like reading your posts. I was blessed by the comment from seekingdivinesperspective above. I remember the film and the impact it had on a group of children in the upper primary school. I was their R.I. teacher. They loved this story. Nathaniel was not running about but quietly sitting yet they were impacted by the thought ‘Jesus KNEW he was there. The statement was bursting with meaning for young seeking students.

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