Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe because I told you
that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
JOHN 1:50
Jesus sees you in your darkest hour. He knows your pain and sorrow. He is the one who can heal and restore, the hope, the joy, the tomorrow. Jesus sees you in your brightest day. He shares your happiness and gratitude. He is the one who can bless and multiply, the grace, the peace, the attitude. Jesus sees you in your every moment. He cares for your soul and spirit. He is the one who can guide and empower, the faith, the love, the merit.
In Jesus, you shall see greater things than what this world can offer you. He is the source of life and truth, the way, the light, the king of kings. You shall see greater things than miracles and signs and wonders. He is the one who loves and cares, the friend, the shepherd, the savior. You shall see greater things than what your eyes can comprehend. He is the alpha and omega, the first, the last, the very end.
Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:43-51)
Jesus is the love of your life. He gave his life for you on the cross. He is the one who paid the price, the gift, the ransom, the loss. He rose again from the grave. He is the one who conquered death, the power, the victory, the brave. He lives in you by His spirit. He is the one who makes you whole, the truth, the beauty, the merit.
Love not in word or speech but in deed and truth for words are cheap and speeches are vain but deeds are real and truth is plain. Words can hurt and speeches can deceive but deeds can heal and truth can relieve. Words can fade and speeches can bore but deeds can last and truth can soar.
This is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the Evil One and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. Do not be amazed, then, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God. (1 John 3:11-21)
The Lord is good: the Lord, whose kindness endures forever. He is the one who shows us mercy and grace, the rock, the refuge, the shelter. He is the one who keeps His promises and covenants, the faithful, the true, the giver. He is the one who loves us with an everlasting love, the Father, the Son, the Spirit.
Serve the Lord with gladness for He is worthy of all praise. He is the one who made us and saved us, the creator, the redeemer, the grace. He is faithful and good who sustains us and guides us, the provider, the protector, the food. He is holy and awesome, the one who reigns over us and loves us, the king, the lord, the bridegroom.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song. Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; Give thanks to him; bless his name. The Lord is good: the Lord, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5)
Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love and grace that You have shown me in my life. You are the one who gives me hope and faith, the way, the truth, the life. I trust You for your plan and purpose that you have prepared for me. You are the one who leads me and guides me, the shepherd, the friend, the key. I ask You for Your power and presence that You would fill me with Your spirit. You are the one who enables me and equips me, the helper, the teacher, the gift. I believe You for Your promise and prophecy that I shall see greater things. You are the one who reveals to me and inspires me, the vision, the glory, the king. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Book of Signs
THE FIRST DISCIPLES
John 1:35-51
III: Love for One Another
AVOIDING SIN / CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD
1 John 3:4-18 / 19-24
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
PROCESSIONAL HYMN
Psalm 100:1-5
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat