“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Because I said to you, “I saw you under the fig tree,” do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ And He said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’” John 1:50-51
Jesus revealed the glory He has as the eternal Son of God in a small way when He told Nathanael that He saw him when he was under the fig tree. But Jesus’ glory will be revealed in full when He comes again in the clouds of glory with all His holy angels.
O dearest Jesus, grant that I believe in You as the Son of God and my Savior that I may rejoice when You come again in glory. Amen.
“From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
Why do we hear and read the Bible? The Holy Scriptures reveal our utter sinfulness and point us to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and His holy life in our place and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. The Bible tells us how to be saved — through faith in Jesus Christ and His cross.
Grant, O LORD, that I hear, read, and meditate in Your Word that I might trust in Jesus and His cross for my salvation. In His name, I pray. Amen.
“Nathanael answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’” John 1:49
After Jesus revealed His knowledge of Nathanael — that Nathanael was a true Israelite and not self-deceived concerning his sinfulness and need of a Savior (cf. Psalm 32:1-5), and that Jesus saw him under the fig tree — Nathanael confessed his faith that Jesus was more than just a Jewish rabbi. He was and is the Son of God and the King of Israel!
O Holy Spirit, grant that I believe the witness of the Scriptures and confess with Nathanael that Jesus truly is the Son of God and the King over the true Israel of God. Amen.
“Nathanael said to Him, ‘How do You know me?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’” John 1:48
Nothing is hidden from the eyes of the LORD God, and Jesus is the LORD God in human flesh. So Jesus knew and saw Nathanael. Jesus also knows us and everything about us. Nothing is hidden from His sight.
“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.” (Psalm 139:1-3). Amen.
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus’ words and teachings are foundational truth, and those building their lives on that truth will not fall when the storms of life rage. Those who reject or ignore Jesus’ words and teachings and do not build their lives on them will find their lives ruined and in shambles when life’s storms strike. Those who hear and heed Jesus’ words and repent of their sinful ways, looking to Jesus and His cross for mercy, will stand in God’s judgment; those who do not will be swept away in that judgment.
Grant that I hear and heed Your Word, O Lord, my Rock, and look to You and Your cross for pardon and forgiveness and to Your Word as my guide, that I may not fall in Your judgment but stand, clothed in Your righteousness. Amen.
