|
2015년 요한복음 제2강 중국어, 영어 성경
와서 보라
말씀 / 요한복음 (约翰福音, John) 1:29-51
요절 / 요한복음 (约翰福音, John) 1:39
[29] 이튿날 요한이 예수께서 자기에게 나아오심을 보고 이르되 보라 세상 죄를 지고 가는 하나님의 어린 양이로다
[29] 次日,约翰看见耶稣来到他那里,就说,看哪,神的羔羊,除去(或作背负)世人罪孽的。
[29] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
[30] 내가 전에 말하기를 내 뒤에 오는 사람이 있는데 나보다 앞선 것은 그가 나보다 먼저 계심이라 한 것이 이 사람을 가리킴이라
[30] 这就是我曾说,有一位在我以后来,反成了在我以前的。因他本来在我以前。
[30] This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'
[31] 나도 그를 알지 못하였으나 내가 와서 물로 세례를 베푸는 것은 그를 이스라엘에 나타내려 함이라 하니라
[31] 我先前不认识他,如今我用水施洗,为要叫他显明给以色列人。
[31] I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
[32] 요한이 또 증언하여 이르되 내가 보매 성령이 비둘기 같이 하늘로부터 내려와서 그의 위에 머물렀더라
[32] 约翰又作见证说,我曾看见圣灵,彷佛鸽子从天降下,住在他的身上。
[32] Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
[33] 나도 그를 알지 못하였으나 나를 보내어 물로 세례를 베풀라 하신 그이가 나에게 말씀하시되
성령이 내려서 누구 위에든지 머무는 것을 보거든 그가 곧 성령으로 세례를 베푸는 이인 줄 알라 하셨기에
[33] 我先前不认识他。只是那差我来用水施洗的,对我说,你看见圣灵降下来,住在谁的身上,谁就是用圣灵施洗的。
[33] I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
[34] 내가 보고 그가 하나님의 아들이심을 증언하였노라 하니라
[34] 我看见了,就证明这是神的儿子。
[34] I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
[35] 또 이튿날 요한이 자기 제자 중 두 사람과 함께 섰다가
[35] 再次日,约翰同两个门徒站在那里。
[35] The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
[36] 예수께서 거니심을 보고 말하되 보라 하나님의 어린 양이로다
[36] 他见约稣行走,就说,看哪,这是神的羔羊。
[36] When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
[37] 두 제자가 그의 말을 듣고 예수를 따르거늘
[37] 两个门徒听见他的话,就跟从了耶稣。
[37] When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
[38] 예수께서 돌이켜 그 따르는 것을 보시고 물어 이르시되 무엇을 구하느냐 이르되 랍비여 어디 계시오니이까 하니
(랍비는 번역하면 선생이라)
[38] 耶稣转过身来,看见见他们跟着,就问他们说,你们要什么。他们说,拉比,在那里住。(拉比翻出来,就是夫子
[38] Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
[39] 예수께서 이르시되 와서 보라 그러므로 그들이 가서 계신 데를 보고 그 날 함께 거하니 때가 열 시쯤 되었더라
[39] 耶稣说,你们来看。他们就去看他在那里住,这一天便与他同住,那时约有申正了。
[39] "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying,
and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
[40] 요한의 말을 듣고 예수를 따르는 두 사람 중의 하나는 시몬 베드로의 형제 안드레라
[40] 听见约翰的话,跟从耶稣的那两个人,一个是西门彼得的兄弟安得烈。
[40] Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
[41] 그가 먼저 자기의 형제 시몬을 찾아 말하되 우리가 메시야를 만났다 하고 (메시야는 번역하면 그리스도라)
[41] 他先找着自己的哥哥西门,对他说,我们遇见弥赛亚了,(弥赛亚翻出来,就是基督)
[41] The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).
[42] 데리고 예수께로 오니 예수께서 보시고 이르시되 네가 요한의 아들 시몬이니 장차 게바라 하리라 하시니라
(게바는 번역하면 베드로라)
[42] 于是领他去见耶稣。耶稣看见他说,你是约翰的儿子西门,(约翰马太十六十七节称约拿)你要称为矶法。
(矶法翻出来,就是彼得)
[42] And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John.
You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
[43] 이튿날 예수께서 갈릴리로 나가려 하시다가 빌립을 만나 이르시되 나를 따르라 하시니
[43] 又次日,耶稣想要往加利利去,遇见腓力,就对他说,来跟从我吧。
[43] The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
[44] 빌립은 안드레와 베드로와 한 동네 벳새다 사람이라
[44] 这腓力是伯赛大人,和安得烈同城。
[44] Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.
[45] 빌립이 나다나엘을 찾아 이르되 모세가 율법에 기록하였고 여러 선지자가 기록한 그이를 우리가 만났으니 요셉의 아들 나사렛 예수니라
[45] 腓力找着拿但业,对他说,摩西在律法上所写的,和众先知所记的那一位,我们遇见了,就是约瑟的儿子拿撒勒人耶稣。
[45] Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law,
and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
[46] 나다나엘이 이르되 나사렛에서 무슨 선한 것이 날 수 있느냐 빌립이 이르되 와서 보라 하니라
[46] 拿但业对他说,拿撒勒还能出什么好的麽。腓力说,你来看。
[46] "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.
[47] 예수께서 나다나엘이 자기에게 오는 것을 보시고 그를 가리켜 이르시되 보라 이는 참으로 이스라엘 사람이라
그 속에 간사한 것이 없도다
[47] 耶稣看见拿但业来,就指着他说,看哪,这是个真以色列人,他心里是没有诡诈的。
[47] When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."
[48] 나다나엘이 이르되 어떻게 나를 아시나이까 예수께서 대답하여 이르시되
빌립이 너를 부르기 전에 네가 무화과나무 아래에 있을 때에 보았노라
[48] 拿但业对耶稣说,你从那里知道我呢。耶稣回答说,腓力还没有招呼你,你在无花果树底下,我就看见你了。
[48] "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered,
"I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
[49] 나다나엘이 대답하되 랍비여 당신은 하나님의 아들이시요 당신은 이스라엘의 임금이로소이다
[49] 拿但业说,拉比,你是神的儿子,你是以色列的王。
[49] Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
[50] 예수께서 대답하여 이르시되 내가 너를 무화과나무 아래에서 보았다 하므로 믿느냐 이보다 더 큰 일을 보리라
[50] 耶稣对他说,因为我说在无花果树底下看见你,你就信麽。你将要看见比这更大的事。
[50] Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that."
[51] 또 이르시되 진실로 진실로 너희에게 이르노니 하늘이 열리고 하나님의 사자들이 인자 위에 오르락 내리락 하는 것을 보리라 하시니라
[51] 又说,我实实在在的告诉你们,你们将要看见天开了,神的使者上去下来在人子身上。
[51] He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open,
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
COME AND SEE
John 1:29-51
Key Verse 1:39 "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
Last week we learned that Jesus became flesh to reveal the glory of God. John the Baptist was a faithful witness to introduce Jesus as the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world. Today, John introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God to two of his disciples. We see Jesus’ discipleship formula which consists of three stages. They are ”come”, “see”, “confess”, and “witness. We call it CSCW. Let’s respond to Jesus invitation, “come and see” and know Jesus very personally and make confession of faith and witness Jesus to others. After we accept Jesus, we invite our friends to Jesus so that they may spend time with Jesus through Bible studies and make decision to follow Jesus. Invitation is the first step to become Jesus’ disciples. Do you remember who invited you to Jesus first? May God help each of us "Come and see," until we meet the Messiah personally!
Ⅰ. John witnesses to Jesus (29-34)
Then the next day, God revealed Jesus to John. Let’s read verse 29, “The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John was moved to see Jesus. He was without words. All he could say, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This is John’s witness to us. He is saying, “Look!…” Let’s look and see why Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. First, Jesus is the Lamb of God. This is indeed a revolutionary statement. How can a man be the Lamb of God? Usually it was an animal that was the lamb for sacrifice. This means then, that Jesus, God in the flesh, will sacrifice himself.
Up until now, the sacrificial lamb was offered once a year for the forgiveness of sins for all the people of Israel. This was God’s way to fulfill his law because he said that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. However, this law was not meant to be permanent. This is because God had something better planned. He wanted to bring his Son into the world to sacrifice himself in order to show the great love of God for sinners. God wanted to do this to solve our sin problem and to take away the sin of the whole world. All the problems of the world come from man’s fundamental and original sin. Because men sinned, men separated themselves from God. They chose darkness rather than light. Though they knew good, they also knew evil and could not even think good thoughts. Their actions testified to their evil and dirty and dark thoughts. Sin is a disease that has spread to all people, like a cancer. It is worse than AIDS. Because all have sinned all are sick with sin. There is no human cure for sin. You can not go to CVS drug store to get a pill to take away your sins. Some people think it is a psychological problem. So they go and see their psychiatrist and have therapy sessions. Then the psychiatrist prescribes drugs. However, sin is not a mental problem nor is it a physical problem. It is a spiritual problem. This is because it is from the heart. It can only be solved by God, not by men. What people really need is to believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Here the words, “takes away the sin of the world” means that on Jesus God laid on him the weight of everyone’s sin, both past, present and future.” It means that God paid for our sins when he crucified Jesus on the cross. Jesus became the ransom sacrifice for the sins of the whole world and not just a few people. We can’t say that he has only forgiven some of my sins. We can’t say that he will stop forgiving us. Once and for all by the death of Jesus on the cross, all our sins have been taken away.
This is why when John the Baptist saw Jesus he was overwhelmed. He was full of joy and excitement to see that the Holy Son of God will become the Lamb of God sacrificed for the sins of the whole world. So to believe in Jesus means what? It means that he is our Lamb of God who suffered for me because of my sins. It means to believe that he has taken away all my sins once and for all. This is why Jesus is full of grace (1:14,16).
There is another very great testimony that John gave about Jesus. It is in verse 34. Look at verse 34, “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” How could John make this testimony? God revealed it to him. John did not know him, but God revealed to him that Jesus is God and the Son of God. According to verse 32, God opened his spiritual eyes to see the Spirit come down as a dove and remain on Jesus. It was revealed to John that this was the sign that this was the Son of God. John saw and testified. In view of John’s faith and his testimony we can believe, too that Jesus is the Son of God.
Ⅱ. WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH (35-42)
Look at verse 35. "The next day John was there again with two of his disciples." In addition to baptizing the crowds, John also raised disciples. They followed John and did their best to live a holy life. Perhaps they learned to eat locusts and wear camel's hair clothing. But they had not received God's forgiveness nor experienced the work of the Holy Spirit. John had done everything he could. But it was mere preparation. Now he sent them to Jesus, the Lamb of God. Look at verse 36. "When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!'" Only Jesus, the Lamb of God, can truly solve our sin problem. Only Jesus can forgive our sins and baptize us with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the only mediator between God and men (1 Ti 2:5). John's clear testimony led his disciples to Jesus.
Look at verse 37. "When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus." John's disciples accepted his testimony with simple faith and made an immediate decision to follow Jesus. Their attitude toward the forerunner is really exemplary. They followed the word of God through John. Suddenly, without going fishing, Jesus had two disciples who were ready to make a life commitment.
Look at verse 38a. "Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?'" Jesus got right to the point. From the beginning, Jesus wanted them to confess their motives in following him. The gospels reveal that people came to Jesus for many reasons. Some came to be healed of diseases; some to be freed from demon possession. Some came to solve their bread problem. Some came to solve their marriage problem. Some came to see a miracle. Of course, Jesus ministered to needy people constantly. But they did not become his disciples. They remained as one of the crowd. When they received what they wanted, they went away without any commitment. Jesus asked them, "What do you want?" Jesus was saying, “What is your motive in following me or what is your life purpose?” Jesus did not ask about their human background. He did not survey their strengths and weaknesses, nor identify their skills. But Jesus was deeply concerned about the motive of their hearts. To Jesus, this was everything. We must listen to Jesus' probing question, "What do you want?" We must honestly examine our hearts until our motive in following Jesus is clear to us. Of course, Jesus already knows it.
But he wants us to know it clearly. Some people might have answered, “I don’t know.” Many college students do not know why they are in college. They say, “I come to college because other people come. I want to have a good job. I want to meet my future spouse.” But we cannot follow Jesus in this way. We must find a clear purpose in following Jesus and coming to the church. How did the disciples answer? Look at verse 38b. "They said, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?'" They called Jesus "Rabbi." They accepted Jesus as their teacher based on John's testimony. Now, they wanted to know him better. So they asked for his address. They invited themselves to be his guests. They really wanted to know Jesus better. They wanted to know from their own experience if he was the Messiah. When we meet a new person and get to know that person, we first ask for their email or Face Book address or home address and phone number. Then they become face book friends posting so many pictures and news items. They asked for Jesus’ address.
From them we learn the right motive in following Jesus: it is to know Christ personally as the Messiah. This is true for new disciples, as well as seasoned servants of God. For example, after conversion Apostle Paul served Christ with wholehearted devotion for the rest of his life. But he did not say, "I know all about Christ." Rather, after a lifetime of learning Christ, he said in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ." He wanted to know Christ more and more. Jesus' disciples must have a burning desire to know Christ personally. When we do, our Bible study is a personal conversation with Jesus. His word is sweet music to our ears. We can listen carefully to Jesus' words by the help of the Holy Spirit. We can bring the questions that reside in our hearts to Jesus. On the other hand, if we don't study the Bible with a burning desire to know Christ, we can become like Pharisees. Knowing Jesus is not one time thing but our life time goal.
Jesus was happy to see the eager young disciples. Jesus answered, "Come, and you will see." Jesus’ word consisted of invitation and promise. “Come” is the first stage of discipleship. Let me ask you one question, which one is easier to say, “Come or do not come.” It is easier to say, “Don’t call me until I will call you or I will email you.” In most cases the call never comes. It is not easy to invite people to our home because we have to give up our privacy and prepare delicious food after cleaning up our home. It is easier to meet people through social media. But to have deeper relationship it is necessary to spend time at our home. Jesus opened his residence to his potential disciples. Jesus invited them to come and be with him. Jesus shared his life with them that day. Jesus really wanted to make a relationship with them. Just as the disciples were seeking the Messiah, the Messiah was seeking them. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus invitation is open to all. Jesus invited us all, saying in Revelation 3:20, "Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Jesus is at the door of our hearts knocking, “Open the door,” even now. Jesus is pleading to us, “Do not close your hearts.” If we just open our hearts he will come in. The second stage of the discipleship is “you will see.” Jesus said, "Come, and you will see." The words, "then you will see" are Jesus' promise of revelation. Seeing is the first step to believe as the saying goes, “seeing is believing.” Before we buy a car, we first go and see the car. The Greek word “see” is “oraw“ which means “perceive” or “learn to know” or experience.” When we spend time with Jesus through the word of God, we will experience his love and grace. We will experience the power of God in Jesus. To the first two disciples it meant that they would see who Jesus really was. Finally, they would see Jesus' real home, the kingdom of God. Verse 39b says, "So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour." After just one day, they made an amazing discovery: Jesus was the Messiah. Look at verse 41. "The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ)." The third stage of discipleship is confession. The Jews were waiting for the Promised Messiah to deliver them from the tyranny of Rome and give them the Messianic Kingdom. Andrew and John were no exception. They were waiting for the Messiah. To them it was an unforgettable experience to spend one day with Jesus, the Incarnate God. They made a giant leap of faith to become Jesus’ disciple by their confession. Romans 10:10 says, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Salvation comes to us when we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It is essential for us to make a confession of faith to become Jesus’ disciple. Let’s confess together, “We have found the Messiah.” To find Jesus the Messiah is to find everything. It is the greatest discovery to any human being.
When Andrew found the Messiah in Jesus, he immediately went to his brother Simon and told him about it. Then Simon came to Jesus. What can we learn from Andrew about witnessing? Should we wait until we become mature disciples to invite others to Jesus? Or should we invite others just as we are? Andrew is a good example. He simply invited others to Jesus as he is. Andrew was not a Bible scholar or a seminary graduate. He just met Jesus. He was full of joy when he met Jesus. He could not contain his joy. He could not be silent. The first thing he did was to find his brother Simon and bring him to Jesus. Without Andrew we cannot think about Simon Peter. What was Jesus’ vision for Simon? When Jesus saw Simon, he said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas." Jesus knew who Simon was. His name came from Simeon who was Jacob’s second son who was impulsive and radical. Simon was a man of many mistakes due to his emotional character. Among the disciples he was a spokesman. Sometimes he said the right things by confessing Jesus as the Son of the living God and other times he said the wrong things like rebuking Jesus not to take up the cross. He was so changeable like the morning mist. Jesus knew all about him upon meeting him for the first time. Yet Jesus had a great hope for him. Jesus gave him a new name Cephas, which means Rock. Jesus saw that Peter would become a pillar of faith for the early Christian church. Jesus saw that Peter would become a great man of God and spread the gospel to the whole world. As Jesus foresaw, this man Simon became Peter the Rock, the great shepherd and history maker. Here we must realize that Jesus has a plan and purpose for those who follow him as disciples. Jesus does not simply help them realize their human dreams, but he uses them according to his own will and purpose. It is to spread the gospel to the whole world. When we accept Jesus' invitation to come and see, we find out not only who Jesus is and where he lives, but we also discover who we really are in God. We discover the life purpose for which God made us. Jesus has hope for all of us to become his disciples who can change American history. Hope motivates us to endure hardships and grow in faith. From human point of view, we are hopeless due to our sinfulness. But Jesus has hope in us and can change us to become the rock of his ministry.
Ⅲ. YOU SHALL SEE GREATER THINGS THAN THAT (43-51)
Jesus gains two more disciples. Who were they? They were Philip and Nathanael. As we study in the Prologue (1:11-12), the majority of the Jewish people did not receive Jesus but some believed on his name and received the right to become children of God. They were Philip and Nathanael. We can apply CSCW principle to them also. They came and saw and confessed Jesus as the Promised Messiah. They had similar experiences of Andrew, John, and Simon Peter. Look at verse 43. “The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." Jesus called Philip by his sovereign will. Philip represents smart people because he calculated the amount of money to buy enough bread for five thousand people to have a bite. (John 6:6) His major might be math or computer science, or accounting. Philip accepted Jesus’ invitation, “Follow me,” without asking about his future salary. His reward will not come from this world but in the coming kingdom of God. Philip made the right decision to learn from Jesus by accepting Jesus’ invitation. Jesus is inviting Philip-like people today by saying, “Follow me.” Will you not accept his invitation? I pray that we all may accept Jesus’ calling today. What did Philip do first like Andrew? Look at verses 44-45. “Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Philip made a confession of faith to his friend Nathanael. Philip found Nathanael and witnessed to him. This has been the foundational principle of true Christian expansion ever since new followers of Jesus bear witness of him to others, who in turn become disciples and repeat the process. It is like a chain letter. How did Philip introduce Jesus to Nathanael? He introduced Jesus as the one Moses wrote about in the Law and about whom the prophets also wrote. According to Philip, Jesus fulfills the Old Testament Scriptures consisted of Moses’ Pentateuch and the Prophets. The Old Testament represents the Law and the Promise. It pointed to the anticipated coming of the Messiah. I think Philip had deeper Scriptural knowledge about Jesus. Philip also introduces Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” This is a historical Jesus. We identify people with 'the name of village, the name of his father'. This means that Jesus lived, walked and dwelt among all of us.
What was Nathanael’s initial response? Look at verse 46a."Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.” Nathanael was doubtful about Jesus because he was from Nazareth. Nathanael was from Cana, another town in Galilee. As Galileans were frequently despised by people from Judea, so it appears that even fellow Galileans despised Nazareth. He knew that Nazareth did not have a good reputation among the cities of Israel. There was nothing good in Nazareth. Nathanael was not convinced by Philip’s witness. How did Philip help doubtful Nathanael? Look at verse 46b. “Come and see,” said Philip. Philip responded with the only satisfactory response possible: Come and see. This is the best answer when someone is doubtful to our witness.
What changed Nathanael’s mind? Look at verses 47-48. “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false. "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." Jesus knew that Nathanael was an Israelite in whom there is no deceit. Jesus knew Nathanael in character. Nathanael’s question, “How do you know me?’ demonstrates that Jesus’ brief summary of his character hit the home run. Jesus replies by showing that his supernatural knowledge extends beyond this. Jesus saw Nathanael while he was still under the fig tree. We don’t know what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree. Maybe he was in meditation or prayer. Jesus revelation of his supernatural power and the witness of Philip removed his doubt immediately. Look at verse 49. “Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Now he addresses Jesus as rabbi. What was his confession? He acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Clearly, Nathanael was acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus as the Son of God has the unique relation of oneness and intimacy with his Father God. Nathanael made the same confession as Andrew’s. What was the vision given to Nathanael? Look at verses 50-51. “Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
This is the promise of Jesus to all who responded to his invitation. Jesus’ promise to all is, “You shall see greater things than that.” The same vision was given to Jacob in Genesis 28:12 when he was fleeing from his brother Esau. Genesis 28:12 says, “And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! “Jacob saw the ladder reaching to heaven from the earth when he was alone in the desert. He made a selfish vow for God’s protection at Bethel. He saw God’s vision. God revealed himself progressively to him. God revealed himself to Jacob step by step as he grew spiritually. We call it a progressive revelation. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel when he wrestled with God. His changed name bears the name of God’s nation Israel. The Jews revered Jacob as their ancestor. Nathanael was familiar with Jacob’s story very well. Now Jesus is standing himself before Nathanael as the Son of Man. Like Jacob the angels will ascend and descend on Jesus, the Son of Man. Nathanael will see God’s vision through Jesus as Jacob saw God through the ladder. In the New Testament Jacob’s ladder became the cross of Jesus. The cross of Jesus will be the door to the heaven. God will open his kingdom to all who receive the forgiveness of sin through the cross of Jesus. This is the vision Jesus is promising to Nathanael including all of his disciples plus all of us because you in “you shall see” is second person plural in Greek. Today, Jesus gives us the vision we will see in the future. In the end we will see the glorious second coming of Jesus with the angels and our vision will come true when we enter the kingdom of God seeing the angels ascending and descending and hearing the angelic chorus praising God.
In conclusion, today Jesus invites us to have fellowship with him. He wants us to experience his love. He wants us to receive his light so that we may overcome darkness. He wants us to learn his life-giving power so that we may inherit the eternal life in his kingdom. Like the first disciples, let’s respond to Jesus’ invitation. Like the first disciples, let’s become his faithful witness to our friends, brothers, and sisters by saying, “come and see.” I pray that God may bless us to see Jesus through the heaven-open revelation.