Ladder to heaven
August 24, 2023 - Thursday
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
John 1:45-51
Philip finds Nathanael and tells him: "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
The prophet of whom Moses spoke is mentioned in Deut 18:15-19. But, Philip also includes the full designation of Jesus. Here, for the first time, we know that Jesus comes from Nazareth and is known as the son of Joseph.
Nathanael's question implies that among the Galileans Nazareth enjoyed no high repute. But Philip does not enter into any dispute, he repeats the words that Jesus spoke to the first two disciples: "come and see" (John 1:39). Experience can cure the prejudice. Perhaps, there is something good that can come out of Nazareth.
Seeing Nathanael coming, Jesus states that he was “true child of Israel, in whom there is no deceit!" (John 1:47). The name of Israel was given to Jacob known for his deceit (Gen 27:35-36; Gen 32:28). Nathanael was unlike the young Jacob.
Only Jesus and Nathanael knew what took place under that fig tree (see Gen 3:7). Some consider the "fig tree" as a symbol of home (Is 36:16; Mic 4:4; Zech 3:10) and even as a place for prayer, meditation, and study. Whatever the symbolism may be, it was enough to make Nathanael realise the identity of Jesus.
Nathanael gives Jesus two titles: "Son of God and King of Israel", both have messianic connotations. Nathanael is the first disciple of whom the author speaks that he believed. Why did Nathanael believe? Because Jesus revealed something unique about him. But there is more to come. Nathanael and other disciples will witness greater things that will point to Jesus' true identity.
Jesus' words relate to Gen 28:12, the story of Jacob’s dream who saw “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!”.
The Son of Man is the mediator between God and the human race. Jesus points to his crucifixion (see John 8:28). By the cross heaven is thrown wide open, God draws near to man, and man is reconciled to God.