Faith Begins with an Invitation

Heaven Opened

Jesus, the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth

Encountering Jesus: The Promise of Greater Things

The Journey from Doubt to Faith

The Call to Follow and See Greater Things

Reflection on John 1:43-51 – 

“The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 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.’ ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, ‘Here we go and I truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’ Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” (John 1:43-51, NIV)

This passage highlights the personal and transformative call to follow Jesus. It begins with a simple invitation: “Follow me.” Jesus seeks out Philip, who immediately responds and invites Nathanael to do the same. The phrase “Come and see” speaks to the nature of faith—it requires openness, exploration, and experience.

Nathanael’s skepticism about Jesus (“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”) reflects human doubt, yet Philip doesn’t argue—he invites. Faith often grows not through argument but through encounter. When Nathanael meets Jesus, he experiences something profound: Jesus knows him deeply, even before they meet. This personal knowledge transforms Nathanael’s doubt into belief, and he declares Jesus as “the Son of God.”

Jesus responds by promising Nathanael that he will see “greater things.” This points to the unfolding revelation of Christ’s mission, culminating in His death, resurrection, and glorification. The reference to angels ascending and descending recalls Jacob’s vision of a ladder to heaven (Genesis 28:12), now fulfilled in Jesus, the true bridge between heaven and earth.

This passage reminds us that following Jesus begins with simple faith but leads to ever-deepening encounters with His glory. His call is personal, His knowledge intimate, and His promises greater than we can imagine.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for seeking me and inviting me to follow You. Help me to trust in Your promises, to walk by faith, and to believe that greater things are yet to come. Amen.