The Barista Whose Name Was Already on the Cup

In 2019, Marcus Chen walked into a coffee shop in Portland for what he thought was a routine job interview. He had almost not come. A friend from church had told him about the opening, but Marcus had scoffed. "It's just another chain café," he said. "Nothing special ever comes out of a place like that." His friend simply said, "Just go see for yourself."

When Marcus arrived, the owner, Rosa Delgado, was waiting at a corner table. Before he could introduce himself, she slid a latte across the table — oat milk, light foam, a single shot of vanilla. His exact order. "I've watched you make coffee at the farmers market for two months," Rosa said. "I've seen how you talk to the regulars, how you remember their names, how you pray quietly before you open your stand each Saturday morning. I already know who you are."

Marcus sat down, stunned. He had assumed he was invisible at that little market stall. He had no idea anyone was watching, let alone someone who saw not just his skill but his character.

This is what Nathanael discovered beneath that fig tree. He thought he was alone with God in a private moment of prayer or study. But Jesus said, "I saw you." The Almighty does not wait for our arrival to begin knowing us. Before Philip ever spoke Nathanael's name, Jesus had already seen his heart. And He has already seen yours.