John 1:43-51
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
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.”
The Word of The Lord emerges from small and humble beginnings. From a small town in the land of a small people comes the Savior of the world.
This passage tells us that Phillip and Nathaniel believed, but one must ask what did they believe? Most likely they believed that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah of Jewish expectation. They had yet to see the passion of Christ or to understand their role in God's plan.
The fig tree might symbolize Israel. A fig is a common symbol for Israel. It is under the shade of its branches that Nathaniel, an Israelite with no deceit, is found. Through Israel comes the law which condemns man and through Israel comes the grace of God which saves man. The fig leaf covered the nakedness of Adam becomes the nation through which God covers the nakedness of mankind when we choose to take His righteousness for ourselves.
The greatest miracle performed by Jesus was opening heaven for you and me. That door is ever open.
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