#9 – Bartholomew;

Sent by the King of kings

 

Bartholomew means son of Tolmai, to this everyone agrees, but the meaning of Tolmai is unclear, it is associated with Egyptian royalty, but it is also possibly defined as Chief-robber, but alas, whatever it’s meaning, it is only just a last name in the list of apostles.  The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) do not tell us anything about him. However, in the gospel of John, Nathanael is introduced, and it is very likely that this is Bartholomew, because the word Bartholomew, is not a first name at all, and Nathanael will fit. It is very likely that Bartholomew is actually Nathanael because he is linked with Philip in the two lists of apostles in Mt. 10:2-4 & Lk. 6:12-16. Why is this significant? Because Nathanael is called by Philip to Jesus, and Jesus commends his faith highly (Jn. 1:43-51) and then at the end of his gospel, we find Nathanael listed with the apostles while Jesus is reappearing with them, assuming Nathanael is one of the apostles waiting for the resurrected Jesus, Jn. 21:1-14.

Nathanael or Bartholomew was a genuine Jew and was sincerely honest in his character and faith. John 1:47, Romans 2:28-29. At first meeting, he was unconvinced nothing good could come out of Nazareth, but after seeing the divine power of Jesus in reading his mind, he immediately concluded, that Jesus indeed was the Messiah. Nathanael was the kind of person that could easily admit he was prejudiced, but at the same time was equally able to admit he didn’t know it all.

Nathanael was also a man of prayer. This is insinuated by the place where Jesus saw him and read his mind. John 1:48. The fig tree was known by writers of the 1st. century to be a place of solitude and prayer. Many Jews planted fig trees beside their house, because it only grew to about 15 feet in height but had a 25 foot breadth, giving much shade and sometimes privacy. If it is true that Nathanael was using the fig tree for prayer and privacy, we can safely assume that was the reason for Jesus desiring to know him prematurely. His mind would have been open for God to see and work with. Nathanael wasn’t afraid to make a conclusion and act upon it. “You are the Son of God…The King of Israel”, John 1:49. He didn’t find submission and consequences, a problem for his pride. He knew that if titles of God and Royalty were attached to Jesus, it meant a caring power and rule. He was not afraid of God’s loving control, and therefore submitted. As it turned out, the man who Nathanael called the King, actually went to a cross to establish his throne. This was no problem for Nathanael. We should likewise be willing to take up our cross for the purpose of ruling with Christ who first took up the cross for us.  When people see that we are willing to bear a ‘cross’, we will have their undivided attention to tell them the good news of a covenant.  People are more likely to agree to a message, if the message-bringer is living the life, and not just teaching it. Nathanael was a man who was brave enough to practice what he preached.  When this is the case for us, we will witness the increase of God. Tradition exclaims that Nathanael was flayed alive by persecutors in Turkey, if this is true, it speaks volumes for Nathanael having the same character as James, blunt, causing a commotion and never hesitating from using the powerful gifts God gave him as an apostle. What are you doing with the gifts God gave you?

There is a lesson for all of us, in the promise Jesus makes to Nathanael, “you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man”, John 1:51.  What we think is supremely great, may be barely significant to God. Nathanael is moved to confess Jesus as The Christ by experiencing a simple act of power by Jesus. But Jesus looks upon it as almost common, and tells Nathanael he will experience greater things. This reminds us all that once we recognize the power of God in our lives, and confess it, no matter how small, we will grow to experience more, till one day, we too, like Nathanael, will witness Heaven open and angels coming with Jesus. See Mark 8:34-38. The point we get from Nathanael is that once we express faith in the power or rule of Jesus as King of our life, we then will grow to experience more. This is the key to successful evangelism! Please read Romans 1:16-17.