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

Saturday, January 29, 2022

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

  • Genesis 28:12-17
  • John 1:14-15, 18
  • John 2:19-22

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, January 29, 2022

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 15:16
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
2 Peter 3:8
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: John 11:4
"From our Lord's words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an "unto" within which its ultimate end is restrained, and beyond which it....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You Thrill Me!' (Ps. 92:4-5)
"You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!