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Daily Devotions

John

John 
Day 
Day 28

The journey of faith

Text: John 1:43-51

THE JOURNEY OF FAITH

The words of Jesus to Nathanael must have thrilled his heart. He had come to new faith in Jesus. That alone must have brought him much joy. He had confessed that he now believed Jesus was all that Philip had said about Him, and more.

“Rabbi, You are the Son of God!
You are the King of Israel”
John 1:49

This testimony seemed more like a conclusion than a commencement. It was a conclusion of sorts. Those who studied the Scriptures diligently had looked forward to the fulfillment of certain prophecies concerning the Messiah. One of them was that He would be a prophet like Moses. But there were other prophecies written by the prophets of old. They had foretold that the Messiah would come as a King. Let us consider some of these passages.

“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end, upon the throne of David
And over His kingdom…”
Isaiah 9:6-7

Did Jesus not display a regal bearing, despite the humble circumstances He was found in? Was He not from the line of David? Was He not indeed wonderful in His teaching? Did He not give excellent counsel as He spoke? Did He not display Divine power even as He spoke?

The faith of Nathanael did not just come about because he was easily convinced. He knew the Mosaic law. He also knew the prophetic Scriptures. Nathanael was convinced and thus he concluded his search of the Messiah of God! But wait, his conclusion was really only the commencement of his journey of faith in God!

THE PROMISE OF EVEN GREATER REVELATION

Jesus went on to make a startling statement to Nathanael. He had come to faith in Jesus, and his reward would be great indeed.

“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 1:51

Did Nathanael know the Scriptures well? Then he would appreciate what Jesus said and meant! What do you think Jesus meant when He made references to the angels of God ascending and descending upon Him?

In the Book of Genesis, there is a story about Jacob who had to flee from his father’s house because of a very badly strained relationship with his twin brother Esau. He had stolen his brother’s birthright. He has also stolen the blessing reserved for the firstborn son. He incurred his brother’s displeasure and he ran for his life.

At a place called Bethel, God met with Jacob. He gave him a dream. In that dream, he saw a wondrous sight.

“Then he dreamed, and behold a ladder was set on the earth,
and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God
were ascending and descending on it.
And behold, the Lord stood above it…”
Genesis 28:12-13

That encounter with God was the starting point of a life of faith for Jacob. He knew that he had stumbled into the Presence of God.

“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said,
‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.’
And he was afraid and said,
‘How awesome is this place!
This is none other than the house of God,
And this is the gateway to heaven!’ “
Genesis 28:16-17

Nathanael too had as it were “stumbled” into the very Presence of the Messiah. He had come without too much expectations. But his trip to see Jesus was not in vain. He had come face to face with the Messiah of God Himself. What was the significance of this encounter with Jesus?

If Nathanael truly understood the significance of what it meant to have met and spoken to Jesus, then he too must whisper in awe that in Jesus is the gateway to heaven. He may not have actually seen angels ascending and descending, but to stand in the very Presence of Jesus was an awesome experience!

Jesus promised that Nathanael, if he continued in his faith, would see even more wondrous revelations from God! He would discover many more things about Jesus. He was indeed Son of God. He was also the eschatological Son of Man (Cf. Daniel 7:13-14). Did Nathanael truly know the law of Moses and the prophetic Scriptures? Then he would be thrilled indeed as he sees more and more Scriptural prophecies fulfilled in Jesus. This was his blessing because of his faith in Jesus!

Let us be challenged to examine our faith in Jesus. How much is our faith based on the Scriptures? How deep is our faith in Jesus? Has God rewarded us for our faith?