“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 1:50-51)
As Jesus began His ministry, He called two disciples, godly men who were close friends, Philip and Nathanael. Both men were eagerly expecting the coming of the Messiah, and so seeking to hear the word of God, no doubt influenced by the teaching of John the Baptist. Nathanael revealed his skepticism and frank honesty with his proverbial response about prophets and Nazareth. His words were what Jesus referred to when they met, a man without deceit. Nathanael knew that Jesus’ knowledge of his words was miraculous and said so.
Jesus promised the two disciples that they would see even greater things. The words Jesus spoke referred to the vision of Jacob of God’s angelic ladder in Genesis 24, an awesome reference which would have astounded the two men. In Genesis 24 Jacob proclaimed that God dwelt in the place where he had slept and he called it Bethel, the House of God. By applying such a reference to Himself, Jesus was asserting His divinity, that He is the dwelling place or House of God. He is God.
Would that we would respond to God’s words with such wonder and awe as did Philip and Nathanael! Instead we pay heed to political rhetoric, pop songs, celebrities, literature, actors, media pundits, and films and give them more credence and praise to them then we do Almighty God. We exalt those human beings who display what we deem great artistry, talent, and wisdom, most of which is often wasted on self glorification, and therefore useless and vain in the Kingdom of God. Far greater and far more spectacular are the words of God which reveal the lovngkindness and splendor of God in Christ Jesus who reveals God to us. What He has said and done and still says to us and does in this world, is far greater and more beautiful than anything human beings could come up with. Anything and everything He has to say is essential to life. All that He says must be heeded. Why look for guidance, joy, or comfort elsewhere? And yet, sadly, millions still do.