Sermon snippet – Simply Heaven – Part V
INTRODUCTION – As commanded in Colossians 3:1-2, we are setting our affection and attention on things above. John 1:45-51 is a passage that helps us with this spiritual task.
- WE CAN HAVE HIGH AND HEAVENLY EXPECTATIONS
I once entered a local business that prominently displayed a sign which promised “Quality First.” The sign was hanging crookedly. Confidence was not inspired. Nathanael’s expectations about Jesus were low (verse 46a). By verse 49, though, Nathanael finds that the Savior of the world, his Savior, has walked right into his life. He had been sitting “under the fig tree” (verse 48). Now, resting under a fig tree is a pleasant pastime; given the business and the busyness of our lives, it would likely do all of us some good to settle down under the nearest fig tree every now and then. The words of Jesus, however, point to something higher, to “greater things” (verse 50). Included is the promise of heaven, what I sometimes call “the certainty of eternity.” That same hope is ever before us; it is a sure destination that motivates us to get out from under the fig tree to follow Jesus. Nathanael would follow Jesus and would become an apostle (Bartholomew, or son of Tolmai). That was a great thing; it was not, though, an easy thing, for it meant opposition, persecution, and even martyrdom. We can be certain that our hard work here has value eternally in heaven.
- WE CAN HEAR THE HEAVENLY VOICE OF GOD
Of course, God the Son was physically present and speaking audibly. When Nathanael heard verse 51, he would have immediately thought of Genesis 28:12-15, a passage we studied a month ago. At that time, God had not spoken to Jacob before. Jacob was fleeing from his brother and from the Promised Land. Would God protect him? Would God bring him back? Yes, God keeps His promises. He speaks to our needs clearly. We have no way to approach Him; we have no access to Him; thus, He descends to us (John 3:13).
- IN THE CLEAR LIGHT OF HEAVEN, WE CAN SEE WHO GOD IS
Verse 51 includes the designation “Son of Man,” a title which by my count is used 83 times to refer to Jesus and is His favorite self-designation. He is fully human and fully divine; He is the Savior. He became like us in order to save us and calls Himself “the Son of Man” to remind us, to reassure us, that He is ever seeking us, even seeking the best for us.
CONCLUSION – Just as Jesus knew Nathanael, He knows each one of us. He knows if even one of us needs His salvation. He wants to show all of us “greater things.” In fact, He wants to show us the greatest things, including His home. He wants each one of us to be in heaven with Him forever. May we all trust in Him for eternal forgiveness and everlasting life.