SCRIPTURE: John 1:43-51
“Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)
In Genesis 28, as Jacob flees his brother, he spends the night in the middle of nowhere.
While he sleeps with a rock for a pillow, God appears to him in a dream.
He sees a ladder going up to God, with the angels ascending and descending it.
God assures him of His promise, that he is God’s chosen agent of blessing for the world, that He will be with him to the very end.
Jacob concludes, “‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’ He was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.'” (Genesis 28:16-17)
In the words of v.51, Jesus connects Himself with Jacob, the father of Israel, God’s chosen people.
What is said of Jacob is now true for Jesus: “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.” (Genesis 28:15)
Nathanael questions this Messiah from Nazareth, the middle of nowhere.
Jesus assures him that He is greater than Jacob, chosen by God from the middle of nowhere.
Jesus is the Son of God, the promised king (messiah) of Israel (Psalm 2).
Jesus is the presence of God dwelling with us, the gate of heaven, the angels ascend and descend over Him.
At this point, Like Jacob, Nathanael is unaware, but soon he will see greater things, and know.
Are you aware of the presence of the Lord in your life?
Or are you just sleeping on a rock in the middle of nowhere?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You are awesome, You are the presence of God with us, our home in God’s heart, the way back to life and fullness with God forever. Help me to become even more aware of this.
Observation/Application
Jesus calls.
Jesus calls the ‘disciples’ to follow Him.
Come and see.
Come and see what Jesus is doing.
Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada.
Each day is a day of thanks – thanksgiving. See what the Lord God has done in your life. In my life. He is all knowing. He is the Way for life everlasting.Come and see what the Lord God has done in my life. Look at ‘His Story.’ Count your blessings.
Jesus calls us/me.
I come.
Jesus calls us over the tumult
Of our life’s wild, restless, sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, “Christian, follow Me!”
As of old Saint Andrew heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love Me more!”
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love Me more than these!”
Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,
Savior may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.