Greater Things

John 1:48-51 (NASB)

48 Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He *said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

The fig tree may be seen as the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. Nathaniel was a member of the nation who was given the law which reveals the knowledge of good and evil. That knowledge comes from their father Adam who ate of the forbidden fruit. Adam covered himself with a fig leaf when the Lord came calling. 

Generations have passed before Jesus sees Nathaniel under a fig tree. He calls a son of the Jewish nation to follow Him and see greater things. The fig tree will be forgotten as the tree of life comes into view. The heavens will open and the kingdom of heaven will draw near. We can enter the garden of His presence in obedience to His word and eat the fruit of the tree of life.