John 1:43-51 – The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
“Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” Jesus told Nathanael that he would see “greater things than that” referring to the supernatural knowledge that Jesus had just revealed. Nathanael was overwhelmed by Jesus and Jesus was telling him that walking with the Lord He would see such an overwhelming multitude of signs and miracles that were as the Apostle John would write “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25) Nathanael would certainly see the miraculous happen many times over. He would see the Messiah walk a humble life and give time to minister and play with children, he would see the those crippled from birth healed, the deadly sick healed, the blind and the crippled healed, and he would see the dead raised to life. These were no amazing feats that a trickster or evil arts person could do. These were supernatural works that showed God at work. A more wondrous sight than these signs was that God would humble Himself, step off His throne, to come to down us and allow Himself to be ridiculed, struck, tortured, killed, and unceremoniously buried and then rise from death, and after rising walk among men and women to be seen by many. Then Nathanael would see Him ascend into the clouds while promising to return back for His own. Greater than the works of healing was that Jesus could save souls from the sure track that leads to hell and put them on a track of eternal peace and fellowship with God. (John 3:16-18) Yes, Nathanael would see much more than he could have imagined.
We, as we live with our eyes open, daily seeking our Lord, and are thankful for the blessings He continuously gives us, the prayers He answers, and in His foresight the situations He saves us from even before they happen, also see many great wonders and signs. We might say that we have never seen the dead rise but is that true? Haven’t we seen the spiritually dead come alive? Isn’t the saving of a soul more wonderful than the saving of a body? A body brought back to life will die again but a soul made alive will live forever with God. Family we are honored to share the Gospel and see people made eternally alive. Praise God! What a wondrous time we live in and, perhaps, we will see His return. Praise God!
When Jesus told Nathanael that He would see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man He was referring to Genesis 28:10-17. In Jacob’s dream he saw a stairway from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. Above the stairway was the Lord God. Jacob, after seeing this divine dream said “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” What Nathanael could not have known is that Jesus was telling him that the Lord God who stood atop the stairway that Jacob had seen is Jesus Himself! Jacob’s dream was wonderful, but it was a dream and the fulfillment of that dream was what Nathanael was going to experience! Wow! Family, we have the high honor of walking in the same reality that Nathanael would walk. Jesus is still alive, He is still doing the supernatural, He still loves us and He is still saving all who will come to live eternally with God. What an honor for us to see God move in the world, in our world today. Pray to have a mind, a heart and eyes that see and perceive the works of God. It begins with loving God and enacted by gratefulness to Him. Live in gratitude to God and see and comprehend the hand of God moving beside us, beside you, inside you. Praise God!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.