Greater Things

Months ago, I jotted down this idea of greater things based on Mack Brock’s song “Greater Things.” The song reminds me to pray and live expectantly of God doing greater things than my finite, sin-impacted mind can conceive.

Please take a few minutes to read John 1:43-51.

Jesus formally invites Philip to follow him. Philip believed even at this early point in Jesus’ ministry that Jesus was the promised Messiah (vs 45). He was so excited about Jesus that he found Nathanael (Bartholomew, who became one of the 12 disciples) and told him that they (along with Andrew and Peter) had found the Messiah. Philip was quick to believe, follow and share the good news of Jesus.

Then we have Nathanael. We see in verse 46 that Nathanael responds with, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Instead of responding with faith, Nathanael doubts. Philip doesn’t bother arguing with Nathanael. Rather, he tells Nathanael to “Come and see.”

The two go to Jesus, and Jesus greets Nathanael by saying, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” I don’t know how many times I have read this and not considered the meaning of these words. First, it is a compliment. Although Jesus didn’t physically hear Nathanael’s response to Philip, He is God. He knows all things. He knew Nathanael’s heart. He could have greeted Nathanael by condemning his doubt, but Jesus didn’t. It reminds me of Proverbs 15:1, “A softer answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Jesus was already drawing Nathanael to Himself.

Jesus addressed Nathanael as an Israelite. The Israelites are the people God had promised the Messiah to. Right before meeting Jesus, Nathanael had doubted Jesus was the Messiah, but here Jesus directs Nathanael’s thinking by using the word Israelite.

Jesus further describes Nathanael with “in whom there is no deceit!” Interesting since Jesus is just meeting Nathanael, and we as readers don’t know much about Nathanael yet, but Jesus doesn’t waste words. Jesus’ greeting ties in to verse 51 where Jesus describes Jacob’s encounter with God in Genesis 28:10-19. Jacob saw angels ascending and descending on a ladder. God reiterated the promise He had made to Abraham, promising “Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the earth be blessed.”

We will look at the fuller meaning of verse 51 in a minute, but for now the way it ties to Jesus’ greeting is that Jacob was known as a deceiver. God also changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 32:28). Nathanael was a descendent of Jacob/Israel, but contrary to Jacob, he was not a deceiver.

Nathanael now wants to know how Jesus knew him. Jesus answers, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Now it could be this is just a literal reference to Nathanael sitting under the shade of a fig tree, but I found that it was also a rabbinical phrase for someone meditating on Scripture. Maybe Nathanael had been praying and meditating on Scripture. Either way, it shows that Jesus has insight that got Nathanael’s attention. Because Jesus knew a couple things about Nathanael, Nathanael now reacts in faith, believing that Jesus truly is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the King of Israel!

Jesus again responds to Nathanael, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these… Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (vs 50-51).

Greater things. What are they? First, Jesus is the true ladder or bridge between God and man. Jesus brings salvation to the Israelites as well as to the Gentiles. Remember God’s promise to Abraham and then Isaac that “in you and your offspring shall all the earth be blessed?” Jesus reconciles God and man. He is the once-for-all sacrifice to atone for our sins. He takes us from the domain of darkness and brings us to His kingdom (Colossians 1:13). He saves us from eternal death and gives us eternal life with Him. He changes our identity from sinners and enemies of God (Romans 5:8, 10) to His beloved children. He does a complete and eternal 180 in our lives. This is the best news ever. This is the greatest thing.

In John 1:43-51, Jesus is shifting Nathanael’s focus from miracles that are temporal to the spiritual, the eternal, the things that really matter. It is true that during Jesus’ earthly ministry He did many greater miracles than just knowing who Nathanael was and that he had been under a fig tree. The apostles went on to do even more greater things, but if our focus is on the comforts of this world, I think we miss the truly greater things.

Salvation is what makes the next two greater things possible: Sanctification and glorification. Sanctification doesn’t always feel like a greater thing because it can be painful. Often, we learn the hard way or from the refining fire of trials and suffering that bring about genuine transformation. But we are being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). It is a greater thing to be more and more like Jesus and less and less like our old nature. I have a long way still to go, but I am thankful that God has not left me the way I was 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago or even yesterday. I am thankful He has promised to finish the sanctifying work He has begun in me (Philippians 1:6). What greater things are there than loving like Jesus, showing kindness like Jesus, forgiving like Jesus, showing grace and mercy like Jesus, growing in the knowledge of Jesus, being humble like Jesus, and much, much more that reflects Jesus?

Glorification is a greater thing. We will be with God forever. There will be no more sin, tears, death, mourning, crying or pain. We will eternally be God’s beloved children basking in His glorious holiness. When Jesus rose from the dead and later ascended into glory, He made the way for us to do the same, and He sent the Holy Spirit as the guarantor of our glorious future.

As I was reflecting on greater things, Ephesians 3:20-21 also came to mind. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” God is able, more than able, to do greater things in every aspect of our lives. Paul says in Ephesians that what God is able to do is according to the power at work with us – that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Too often we settle because we lack faith, we forget who God is or we simply have limited human minds tarnished by sin. We have degrees for everything, but God’s greater things can never be surpassed. Did you catch the word “abundantly” in Ephesians 3:20? I looked up synonyms – amply, generously, handsomely, lavishly, richly. God can never be outdone in the greater things He does. Why?

If you’ve been with me as we’ve gone through many of the Psalms, we have looked at God’s character. Who God is, is why He alone can do the greater things. He is perfect in every one of His attributes. He has all power to accomplish what needs to be done. He has all wisdom, knowledge and understanding to know what is best in each situation and the perfect timing and way to accomplish it. He is faithful. He will do what He says. He is good, loving and kind, so we never have to fear what He will do in our lives. He is sovereign, so He has complete control over every tiny little detail. Nothing can thwart His plans. His grace and mercy are new every morning. God cannot fail. The list can go on. The question is will we trust God for greater things?

Reflection

1. We may say we believe God can do greater things, but is that how you are praying and living?

2. When you think of greater things, are you thinking only of earthly comforts and temporal things or are you also looking towards the greater things of salvation, sanctification, and glorification? What are some specific greater things you can trust God for? It is good to trust Him for greater things in earthly comforts and temporal things, but we also look to more than that.

3. Ephesians 3:21 tells us that the glory is for God. As God does greater things in your life, are you giving Him the glory? How can you give Him glory today for some greater things you have already seen?

4. Which of God’s attributes embolden your faith the most as you trust Him for greater things? Why? Be specific to what you are trusting Him for.

5. If you have time, listen to Mack Brock’s “Greater Things.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NueMKnU8qa0