They invite us to advance in the way of holiness, to seek to ascend to new heights in our relationship with the Lord. Jesus' encounter with Nathaniel is another way in which we see those heart searching eyes at work in the passage before us. Christ did not delight in Nathaniel being as yet without sin, as God's people will be one day in glory. Today, those roving eyes of the Lord search for men and women like him. The second aspect of God's work in making disciples is that He changes names.
Names are important among mankind as well.
We have the sons of thunder, testifying of the power of the heavenly word they proclaim. We have the guile-less one, speaking of uprightness. As part of that living temple, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, we share in those names. Following Jesus will result in drastic changes of who we are. Our basic I.D. is radically different as a disciple.