In Epiphany, we witness this man and the miracles and ask: “Who is He?” Subsequently, in wonder and awe we might reply together with our Jonah reading: “Who knows?”
Despite Nathanael’s pedigree, he still needed to have Jesus revealed to him. Apart from the Spirit’s work in creating faith, Nathanael would have been lost.
Indeed, in Samuel the Lord has drawn near as the words and actions of this unexpected prophet help us listen carefully to the voice of God in His rare Word.