January 15,2006

Greater Things

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 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.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:43-51

                        Last week we began a look at the great things of the Savior in how he began to reveal himself in his ministry, beginning with his own Baptism, the first Christian baptism where he began his work of salvation. We saw how in the hands of Almighty God earthly signs are used for heavenly purposes! God has a ways to fill empty things with power as he wills! Jesus’ words and his actions accomplish what he intends...This week his story continues, the story of Jesus’ coming and serving...the Great Savior revealing himself and gathering to himself a people and giving to them great things...           

He knows all...

          As we look at this reading, it takes place just after Jesus found Andrew and his brother Simon (later to be called Peter) and called them to himself. Now it’ll be Phillip who in turn tells Nathanael... He said, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth...” Nathanael said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip simply replies, “Come and see.” This is where the story gets interesting. Next scene: Jesus sees Nathanael coming toward him and says of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Now, was this some tongue in cheek, was it perhaps Jesus’ way of showing Nathanael that he knew of his apparently skeptical remark about Nazareth? Maybe, but whatever, it was certainly a statement that showed familiarity with Nathanael...that he apparently didn’t expect. Jesus seemed to see right through him and Nathanael knew it...he knew instantly that Jesus...knew him. “How do you know me?” He asked.

          Jesus knows what is in the heart of man...(2:25) "For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths." Proverbs 5:21^[1] But little did Nathaniel know that this introduction would change his life forever! I don’t think he was ready to be pondered that day...He could tell that beyond this Teacher’s eyes was more than flesh and blood...He seemed to see right through Nathanael...

          But what was happening inside of this poor man as he was put on the spot here...Was it the conviction of sin for his somewhat cynical comment? Was he accused of his sin, realizing the need for real change of heart? Perhaps...Nathanael asked, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Earlier in the day Jesus says he had seen Nathanael, where no human eyes could have seen him. Nobody was there while he was sitting under the tree ...but this far-sighted Savior was watching from a distance...Nathanael must have gotten goose bumps...whatever the mechanics of what was all going on here, Nathaniel’s response to this invasive, life changing Savior was confession! “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!” Right he was...

He shows all...

          Now he was beginning to get it! This is the Designer of all things...the One who is responsible for my next breath...Nathanael was coming to the Faith of the Great God and Savior...This self proclaimed Great One says of himself “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” ^[2]The implied answer is of course, No! Think for a moment of the vast space of our universe and realize that God is greater than even that...wow. Have you ever felt that overwhelming sense of smallness when you gaze above at the vast expanse of it all? It gives you a glimpse, a small taste of the “bigness of God”; the Creator’s greatness and power.

          He sees all...he knows all...Where can one hide? Where could Nathanael hide? And with that before us as human beings where can we hide? With a great, and all powerful God with whom we have to do how can we be as we are by nature sinful and unclean before him and live in his presence? The answer is that we can’t! There’s no neutral stance before this God. We will all one day stand before the judgment seat...(2 Cor. 5 10) Do you remember the second reading? Paul asks can I join the members of Christ to a prostitute? Never! We might rephrase that a bit today, can I join the members of Christ to someone that I am not married to? Never! May it never be! We are to flee sexual immorality! We are called to be more than walking contradictions!

          Jesus says one is either with him...or against him....In John chapter three the Lord says that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; (because trusting-faith grasps his forgiveness) but whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, instead  the wrath of God remains on him! "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground."^[3] The Greatness of this all powerful God is according to the words of Paul such that we should fear God and attempt to persuade people...to come clean...to repent; have a , change of heart, and trust the Savior...there is no other way. Because trespassing against God, beyond what we are allowed, leads to arrest and eternal incarceration!

          Now the child of God, humbled and forgiven has an additional motivation for continuing in faith and good toward his neighbor; the love of God that now compels you, that can motivate you...Because he is your God, his might can be a great comfort! And he is to you known not only as the Mighty One, but the God who is mighty to save as Zephaniah 3:17 says! He is mighty and merciful! His might is revealed to his people in this most wonderful way, through his work of salvation for you! He himself said that he came to heal the brokenhearted and bind up the wounds...what wounds? The wounds brought on by transgressing God’s ways! Trespassing, going beyond what we are allowed in his commands!

          Back to the story, Jesus answered Nathanael’s confession with these words...“Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” Greater things...but what would those be? Surely Nathanael would witness the proclamation of the ever so Good News, he would be present while the Savior forgave sins...taught the Holy Word and supported it all with healing, miraculous signs and wonders...but there would still be even greater things than these...What are they?

          Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” It was as if he said to him, “You think that was good? You haven’t seen anything yet! Just wait!” Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” This is an Old Testament reference to a story where Jacob (the Father of Israel) had a dream where there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. Angels were ascending and descending on this ladder! And the Lord stood above the ladder speaking great words of promise to Jacob for all God’s people about the promised- land they would receive! (Genesis 28: 12,13) You see Jesus was n effect saying that he was and is this ladder! Angels come and go to heaven by way of him to bring directives, to bring  help...The Son of God, the Ladder himself, bridges the gap between you and your God as the only Way to the Father...the Father stands by the Ladder, promising you his goodness...coming down to meet you in his Son and then one day bring you up to himself!

          Nathaniel needed to know this...and so do you...your life, forever changed by being acquainted with the Creator of all the world is in his hands. The great acts of the Savior of your life point to the message that he speaks, ultimately displaying the message that he alone is...His greatest saving act of all is the cross and it’s meaning is delivered to you in the Message of the cross as Paul calls it. This same message of the cross is the message of a Savior who knows all, who shows all, who is the Ladder to get to heaven, there is no other way that this One. This Message of the cross is still the great sign from on high, filled with meaning, able to change your life, to work in you today and always.

Your God’s greatness is seen most wondrously in his goodness, in his mercy found in Jesus the Christ! When the self proclaimed-Great One steps down the ladder of eternity into your life and reigns in you, you become a part of his story, his plan... And your great Savior vows to continue what he began in your life...God has predestined you for greater things! No eye has seen and no ear has heard the great things he has prepared for those who love him... You will see greater things when the Lord comes to bring you one day to his land of promise!