PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: John 1:43-51
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You will see the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)
How many people were with Jesus, and yet they didn’t realize who he was.
The fig tree prediction convinced Nathanael that Jesus was God’s promised messiah.
But Jesus lets him know that he hasn’t seen anything yet.
Jesus links himself to the stairway reaching to God that Jacob sees (Genesis 28:10-17).
Jacob did not realize he was in the presence of God until he saw that vision.
The angels that ascend and descend on the stairway will do the same over Jesus.
In other words, Jesus is the revelation of the God of heaven present with us.
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” (Genesis 1:15)
In Jesus, God is with us and knows wherever we are (including under the fig tree).
Jesus is the way to God, and through Jesus God is with us.
We are “at home” with God through Jesus, so that he is our “bethel” (house of God).
Am I experiencing the wonder of ‘God with me’ in Jesus, and realizing what this means?
Am I seeing “greater things” in Jesus, in who he is and what he has done for me?
Or am I like Jacob (“I was not aware of it”, Genesis 28:16), unaware of who Jesus really is?
PRAYER
Lord, I know things about you, but I want to really know you, and to appreciate all that you are and all that you have done. You are God with me, and watch over me where I am!
“I saw you” – Jesus saw Philip and Nathanael – he sees me. That is both comforting and scary. Jesus sees the good and the bad. I am transparent before him. He knows my guile etc. Yet he calls me to follow him. Help me Lord to follow – thank you for the gift of your HS – so that we may grow in our understanding and dedication to you! He is my stairway to Heaven – God ever present!
The fig tree was a sign of God’s presence. Nathanael had to come and see. This reminds me of Thomas, who also had to come and see the reality of it all. Jesus is alive. Emmanuel. He is here. He is with us. Help me this day to be a kingdom worker doing Your will.
We want to see Jesus lifted high
A banner that flies across this land
That all men might see the truth and know
He is the way to heaven
We want to see, we want to see
We want to see Jesus lifted high
We want to see, we want to see
We want to see Jesus lifted high
Step by step, we’re moving forward
Little by little, taking ground
Every prayer a powerful weapon
Strongholds come tumbling down and down and down and down
We’re gonna see, we’re gonna see
We’re gonna see Jesus lifted high
We’re gonna see, we’re gonna see
We’re gonna see Jesus lifted high