When Jesus told Nathanael that he would see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man, He was declaring Himself to be the One who opens heaven for Nathanael. Jesus is the ladder between heaven and earth.
Christ connects us to God. He opens our understanding of God. Once, we recognize, believe, and confess that Jesus is Messiah, we witness “greater things” than we ever witnessed before. “You will see greater things than these.” [2]
When Jesus referred to Himself as the “Son of Man” to Nathanael, He referenced Daniel 7:13-14. In this Bible passage, the Messiah is called the Son of Man. The “Son of Man” was a Messianic title free from political and nationalistic sentiment. When a Jewish person of that time heard “King” or “Christ” they often thought of a political or military savior. Jesus emphasized His humanity... that He came to tabernacle or dwell among us.
John chapter one reveals four ways of coming to Jesus:
Andrew came to Jesus because of the preaching of John. [3]
Peter came to Jesus because of the witness of his brother. [4]
Phillip came to Jesus because of the direct call of Jesus. [5]
Nathaniel heard from two witnesses (both from Phillip and Jesus), and after hearing their testimonies, declared, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” [6]
The message of John chapter one is clearly, “Believe in Jesus Christ.”
John the Baptist testified that Jesus is the Lamb of God and the Son of God. [7]
Andrew testified that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. [8]
Phillip testified that Jesus is the One prophesied in the Old Testament. [9]
Nathaniel testified that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel. [10]
[1] John 1:51
[2] John 1:50
[3] John 1:35-40
[4] John 1:41-42
[5] John 1:43
[6] John 1:45-49
[7] John 1:29, 34, 36
[8] John 1:41
[9] John 1:45
[10] John 1:49
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