GREATER THINGS
The life as a believer in Jesus is an incredible life. Even so, there are many who have found themselves entangled with life or with a negative “religious experience” and these things have somehow overshadowed the “incredible life” Jesus came to give.
People everywhere are looking for answers to life; they are looking for peace and direction. The Spirit of the Lord has called us who believe to be a light that clearly identifies Jesus as our redeemer. This is why our enemy uses any means he can to quiet the message we carry that “Jesus is still the way to God - He is truth, and life.”
Today I want to look in the book of John, see his excitement and that of others as they received Jesus as the “Christ,” and then how they identified Him to others.
John 1:35 The next day John stood with two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
John was excited that he was fulfilling his destiny as the forerunner of the Christ. As he stood there with two of his disciples, he clearly identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. These disciples had been loyal to John and now with great joy they begin to follow Jesus because they understood that in Jesus they would find “Greater Things!”
John 1:40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother was one of these two who had heard John and now was following Jesus 42 He first went and found his own brother Simon … 43 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus saw him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
The great Apostle Peter, who preached the first Holy Ghost message after Christ died and rose again, would not have been a part of the twelve had Andrew not been excited about Jesus. Andrew said, “I found the Messiah. Come and see that “Greater Things” are here!”
John 1:43 The following day Jesus went to Galilee where he found Philip, and said to him, “Follow me.”
Next Jesus finds Philip. That means He was looking for him! Jesus still looks for the lost through our lives today!
John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip finds Nathanael, and says to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 And Nathanael replied, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and described him, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
An amazing chain reaction began as John revealed Jesus to Andrew and another disciple. Andrew found Peter, Jesus found Phillip, Phillip found Nathanael – this reveals to us they were very excited and wanted to share this good news with others. The power of the gospel is in its announcement!
When we remove the business of life, the cares of this world and the offenses of negative religious experiences, we will still find Jesus has not changed - He is the same yesterday, today and forever! This good news causes life and excitement to flow out of our lives towards others and Jesus sees ahead of us and prepares the hearts of people to receive this good news.
John 1:49 Nathanael answered and said to him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus replied, “ Is it because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, that you believe? You will see greater things than these. 51 And he said to him, “Listen! I am telling you, after this you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man”.
“Greater Things” than these shall you see! The life as a believer in Jesus is an incredible life. It is amazing how many start out so excited. They want to tell people; they want to learn more; they want to experience more but then somehow the enemy comes along and does his best to shut down the voice of that one crying in the wilderness.
We need to guard our heart so that we don’t become Pharisees filled with our own righteousness. We need to beware of the barrenness of a busy life. The enemy still works to keep us so busy that we have nothing left to expand the Kingdom, or he works to make us so “spiritual” that we drive people away.
Can you remember the moment you believed? Can you remember the wonder and joy that came as you realized the Christ and the sense of destiny as you began your journey of life in Him? There was the incredible presence of God flowing through you as you joyfully shared the news that was too good to be true. It is not difficult to revitalize your relationship with Jesus because He is the same yesterday, today and forever! Just look away from all the distractions and focus on the life Jesus came to give you. It is found with Christ in God! There are so many “Good Things” Jesus has in store for you!
1 Corinthians 2:9 As it is written, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has it even entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those that love Him.”
Here the Apostle Paul is quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 64:4) who was foretelling the coming Messiah. Jesus has now been revealed; He has fully paid for the sins of the world and has given us this great truth to share. Friends, we live AFTER THE CROSS; we live in the New Covenant so it is very exciting to read the next verse in 1 Corinthians as the Apostle Paul reveals that now this scripture is fulfilled:
1 Corinthians 2:10 BUT GOD has (already) revealed them to us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
That joy, sense of adventure, excitement and expectation that something good is about to happen has never left. It may be buried under “life or offenses” but Jesus is still that life more abundantly who lives in you and He will never leave you or forsake you! You may have had some incredible memories and experiences where Jesus’ life through you brought life to others. I want to remind you that even “Greater Things” are ahead for you! Like Jesus said to Nathaniel, “Greater things than these shall you see!”
