When Jesus first called Nathanael, He declared, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael was uncompromisingly honest and fiercely loyal. His reverence for Tradition motivated him to follow the law and to be a good member of his community. Yet Nathanael’s neighborly loyalty also made him suspicious of outsiders, leading him to ask, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”

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However, Nathanael’s faith became strong as soon as Jesus recognized his devotion. Nathanael just wanted to be seen, and when he felt accepted by Jesus, he immediately became the first person to declare that Jesus was “the Son of God” and “the king of Israel.”  Jesus commended Nathanael for his faith and promised him that he would see “greater things” through the power of Revelation.

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If you are a Neighbor like Nathanael…

You are a loyal and honest person. You seek to do the right thing whenever possible, and you try hard to conform to the expectations and values of your family or social group. Within your group, you are trusting and generous. Others see you as someone who can be relied upon to support and help them in their time of need.

However, like Nathanael, you may exhibit a reflexive tribalism. You may not trust people from outside your social group. You prefer familiar faces and ways of doing things. If you open yourself to new things, though, you are likely to be pleasantly surprised. At the same time, your generous nature may encourage others to take from you without reciprocating. You may often feel taken advantage of. At these times, a little recognition from others goes a long way to make you feel appreciated.

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Role: The Neighbor

Primary Aspect: Tradition (Man)

Secondary Aspect: Revelation (Eagle)

Living Creature Symbol: Angel

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Temperament: Introverted

Extroverted Counterpart: Barnabas

Female Counterpart: Ruth

Complementary Disciples: Philip, Thomas, Peter, Andrew

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