John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

It seems like such a small thing, why quibble over it? Jesus wasn’t the King of Israel at the moment that Nathanael said these words. Was He? Rome certainly did not recognize His authority. So why did Nathanael call Jesus King? Was it because Nathanael had the authority to recognize who might be King or was it the Nathanael pledged his allegiance to Jesus?

Calling Jesus the Son of God would not make Jesus the Son of God. That was recognition of identity. Proclaiming Jesus King was not a matter of recognizing authority but surrendering authority. Nathanael already had a King based on worldly power. Nathanael chose to serve a new Master.

Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?”

The bible tells us many things about His identity. Son of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Savior, Rabbi, Lamb of God, friend, first born son, and so many more. Nathanael’s answer says something about the man, the times, the needs and desires of a people under Roman rule. We do not live in those times, we are not that people, so our answers will be driven by our own circumstances, needs and desires.

Do you need a friend? Jesus can be that.

Do you need a teacher? Jesus can be that?

Do you need a healer? Jesus can be that?

Do you need a King? OOPS, now wait a minute, let me think about that. What we want and need out of Jesus doesn’t define Jesus. We cannot tell Him to be our healer but not our King. It doesn’t work that way. God does not change because of our opinion and neither does Jesus. He is our everything not our menu to pick from depending on our mood today.

I would do well to remember my friend is King and honor the office before the friendship.