Fishers of PeopleSample

Open Heaven

In the New Testament, we encounter the accounts of when Jesus calls seven of his twelve disciples: Peter, Andrew, John, James, Matthew, Philip, and Nathanael.

Jesus instructs the four fishermen to follow Him. To them, He promises that He will transform them into fishers of people.

To Matthew and Philip, Jesus simply said, “Follow me.”

However, He offered Nathanael something more...

When Nathanael approaches Jesus, the Lord shows him that He knows the essence of his soul by stating that he is a true Israelite with unwavering integrity. Nathanael speculates that Jesus might know him from somewhere, yet the Lord gives him the location where Nathanael was before Philip called him. Then, Nathanael realizes that there is no conceivable way that Jesus Christ could possess such information. And so, Nathanael declares Him the King of Israel.

It is noteworthy that Jesus labels Nathanael a genuine Israelite, and that Nathanael proclaims him King of Israel. This demonstrates that Jesus truly discerned the inner essence of individuals.

The Lord knows you. Never think that He made a mistake by calling you. He knows where you were before you met Him. Yet, He extended an invitation for you to join His team of fishers of people, of disciple-makers.

What Jesus promised Nathanael was that he would see even greater things. We can say with confidence that Jesus kept his promise and that Nathanael certainly witnessed far greater things.

Whatever the Lord promised you when He called you, He will surely do.

However, that is not the end of the matter. To Nathanael (and to all the disciples), He promises something remarkable: that they would see heaven opening and God’s angels ascending and descending upon Jesus Himself. This is a direct reference to Jacob’s encounter with God in Bethel while fleeing from Esau on his way to Haran (Genesis 28:10–22).

If you accept Jesus’ invitation to follow Him, just as He promised Nathanael, you will witness things of greater magnitude than what you have experienced so far. And as He promised His disciples, through Him, you will attain direct access to the Father and heaven.

Lord Jesus, I accept Your invitation to follow You. I am grateful for Your promises because I am confident they will be fulfilled. Show me bigger things. I yearn to witness an open heaven and to connect with You and the Father. Transform me into a fisher of people.