Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Steve Sveom.
The story of Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus told in John 1:43-51 recounts Nathanael’s response of faith. Jesus then states, “You will see greater things than these. Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” The story of Jacob’s dream is being referenced. Jacob was fearful and troubled when he had a dream. The dream is best known as Jacob’s ladder. We may recall a song about climbing Jacob’s ladder. But, in fact, it is not we who climb Jacob’s ladder, but the angels ascending and descending. It is a dream of assurance God’s presence and opens access to the holy. God has broken into our world and taken the initiative to contact us.
The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians and the ark of the covenant was lost. The ark had been in the Holy of Holies and was thought to be the sign of God’s presence. In the rebuilt temple of Jesus’ day, the central focal point in the holy of holies was the stone on which Jacob was believed to have lain when he had his dream. Jesus told Nathanael that the place to encounter God – the place where heaven and earth would intersect – the real temple – was to be Jesus himself…the Son of Man.
“Come and see” is the invitation to meet God in Jesus. It is not an invitation to be awed by grandeur, but to recognize that Jesus came to give open access to God’s presence. We find God’s grace in Jesus. We follow Jesus, not like follow the leader but by seeing God’s grace and love inform us and shape what we do as ourselves with our own talents, personality and circumstances.
Prayer: We are blessed by your presence. Help us to follow you and to live your gracious love in our lives. Amen.