Verse of the Day 5/12

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 7-9, John 5:1-29

 

Good morning,

Have you ever been in a church service, even in a large congregation, and heard the Word being preached and felt as if the pastor was speaking directly to you, as if he knew exactly what was going on in your life?  Perhaps you've had similar experiences when reading the Bible.  Something you read fits exactly with the circumstances that you find yourself in.  How do you react when such a thing happens.

 

For today's verse we'll go to the end of John 1 where the disciples are being called by Jesus.  In this instance it is Nathanael, and he feels the same way, asking Jesus "how do you know me"?  Here we see Jesus' response.  The reference of "angels of God ascending and descending" brings us back to Genesis 28, the account of "Jacob's ladder" where the Lord revealed Himself to Jacob and told him of the plans that the Lord had for him and his descendants.

 

John 1:50 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."  51 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."    NKJV

John MacArthur writes, " Jesus point to Nathanael was that just like Jacob experienced supernatural or heaven sent revelation, Nathanael and the other disciples would experience supernatural communication confirming who Jesus was.   Moreover, the term "Son of Man" replaced the ladder in Jacob's dream signifying that Jesus was the means of access between God and man."

 

The other day I referenced the old hymn "Blessed Assurance".  How do you think it affected Nathanael to hear these words "most assuredly" from Jesus about "seeing greater things"?  It is the same for us and as with Nathanael, Jesus, the Son of Man, is the access to these things.

 

 

Chris Tomlin writes in "God of this City"

 

You're the God of this city,

You're the King of these people,

You're the Lord of this Nation,

You are

 

You're the Light in the darkness,

You're the hope of the helpless

You're the peace to the restless,

You are

 

There is no one like our God.

 

Greater things have yet to come,

Greater things are still to be done in this city.

 

We believe in you God.

 

God has greater things for you, in whatever city you are in, if you will follow Him, will you follow Him?

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

John 1:43-2:1

 

Philip and Nathanael

 

43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."  44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

 

46 And Nathanael said to him,"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

 

Philip said to him, "Come and see."

 

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"

 

48 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."

 

49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

 

50 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."  51 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."

 

NKJV