Daily Word Of God
John 1:45-51
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘From Nazareth? Can anything good come from that place?’ Philip replied, ‘Come and see.’
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There, truly, is an Israelite in whom there is no deception.’ Nathanael asked, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Before Philip came to call you, I saw you under the fig tree.’
Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You are going to see greater things than that.’ And then he added, ‘In all truth I tell you, you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Today is the feast of St Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles. Scripture scholars often associated Bartholomew with Nathaniel whom Jesus saw under the fig tree.
- The Jews often read and reflected on the Torah under the fig tree. This is an indication that Nathaniel was a man of great financial means as he could live such a leisurely life.
- Because of Nathaniel’s love for the Word of God, Jesus told him that he would see greater things yet i.e. to receive great divine insights. Jesus tells us today that we too would receive divine insights if we focus and reflect on God’s Word daily. Will we be able to do it?