What Jesus Did! 'The Window into Heaven' — John 1:50-51

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Jesus asked [Nathanael], "Do you believe [I am the Son of God] just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth."
— John 1:50-51 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus will fulfill and surpass many metaphors, images, and rituals from Israel's rich history. John will show us how Jesus is the great "I AM." [1] Jesus fulfills the meaning of many of the great Jewish feasts. He is "the stairway between heaven and earth," and as we continue through John's gospel, we'll see that Jesus is "the bread of life," "the true vine," "the water of life," and more [2] - each image rich in emotion and meaning from Israel's past. Jesus is challenging Nathaniel to look beyond Jesus' power to know what was in his heart. Jesus wants to lead Nathaniel to see greater things. He wants Nathaniel to know that when he is around Jesus, he is looking through the window into heaven.

[1] Exodus 3:14.
[2] John 6:35, 8:12, 10:7, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1.

Today's Prayer

Father, please help me see you, know you, and love you completely as Jesus teaches me more about you. In your Son's name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Do you know where to find the ladder to heaven
Illustration of John 1:50-51
Inspirational illustration of John 1:50-51 -- You haven't seen anything yet! Before this is over, you will see heaven open and God's angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again.

Illustration

Illustration of John 1:50-51 NLT — "Do you believe [I am the Son of God] just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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