After hearing lots of good things about it since its release in August, Daniel and I finally watched the first season of Ted Lasso, a show on Apple TV+. The premise is that a Division II football coach from Kansas is hired to coach AFC Richmond, an English soccer team – even though he knows nothing about soccer, has never coached on a professional level, and has never even been to England. The Richmond players and fans are, unsurprisingly, not happy with this choice.
But, as the show unfolds, Coach Lasso slowly wins them over – not because he’s excellent at winning games, but because he’s excellent with people. He has the keen ability to notice each person – their hopes and fears, strengths and weaknesses – and to help them see themselves through his eyes. He believes in them, and encourages them to believe, too. As he gets to know the players and staff, his small acts of kindness have ripple effects.
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| Ted Lasso "Believe" poster, from Redbubble |
Particularly touching is his relationship with Nathan, the team’s equipment manager or “kit man”. Nathan seems flabbergasted that Coach Lasso even asks his name the first time they meet, let alone remembers it the next day. “Nate the Great” blossoms under Coach Lasso’s encouragement. Growing in confidence as his gifts are seen, appreciated, and put to use, Nathan becomes a valuable asset to the team by the end of the season.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is inviting ordinary people into the work of the gospel. You could say that he is building his team. In the verses prior to this one, Jesus recruits two of John the Baptist’s disciples, Andrew and Simon Peter, inviting them to “Come and see.” The next day, he calls Philip, who then invites Nathanael. In speaking to Nathanael, Philip repeats what Andrew told his brother – we’ve found him! The Messiah, whose arrival John’s been preparing for, and about whom Moses and the prophets wrote is here! It is Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.
While the others were eager, Nathanael is skeptical. The Messiah is to come from Bethlehem – that’s what the prophets wrote. And besides – Nazareth? Really? Can anything good come from there?
Upon hearing Philip’s invitation to “come and see”, Nathanael goes along. But the thing that convinces him that Jesus is who they say he is isn’t anything Nathanael sees, but rather how Jesus sees him. Before Nathanael can ask a question, or test his assumptions, Jesus reveals how deeply he sees and knows him: “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
It’s not entirely clear what this means. Maybe that Nathanael is unfailingly honest, for better or for worse. Perhaps it means that Nathanael is someone who thinks deeply, who takes time under fig trees or elsewhere to turn things over in his mind, striving to see things as they really are. But whatever Jesus means by it, it strikes a chord with Nathanael, and seems to catch him off-guard. “Where did you get to know me?” Turns out, Jesus had been paying attention. Turns out, Jesus saw Nathanael – really saw him – even before Nathanael had ever heard of him.
Because of this, Nathanael is able to see Jesus. “Rabbi, you are the Son of God!” he declares. “You are the King of Israel!” And yet, Jesus reminds him that believing isn’t really about what Nathanael can see, but about who Jesus is.
I must admit that as soon as we finished the season finale of Ted Lasso, I made Daniel start episode one all over again. The show is hilarious, well-written, and well-acted, but more than that, it’s just so heartwarming. Coach Lasso’s outlook on life and his commitment to genuine kindness, even in the face of challenging situations, felt like an oasis in the midst of the stressful and contentious times in which we find ourselves.
Turned in on ourselves, we have failed to notice one another’s suffering. Distracted by stereotypes and prejudice, we have failed to see others as God sees them. We often spend our energy making ourselves look good, or trying to get ahead, rather than lifting up one another so that we can all experience life and flourishing. Sometimes, we’re so caught up in our mistakes or regrets or wishes that we don’t even see ourselves clearly.
What a gift it is, then, to be reminded that God sees us. God sees us – sinful, hurting, skeptical, lost, grieving – and looks on us with love. God sees us as we are, and loves us deeply and completely anyway. That kind of seeing and knowing – that kind of love is a powerful thing. It opens us to life abundant and eternal; it opens us to life in relationship with God and with one another.
When Jesus calls the disciples to abide with him, and be known, he is calling them into life in community. We, too are called into life in community. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, our gifts are used in service of the gospel. Seeing the love of God at work in us, others too may come and see – may come and be seen.
For a God who sees us, loves us, and invites us to follow, we give thanks.
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