December 7

Es not this the Christ? — JOHN iv. 29.

Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these . . . Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. — JOHN i. 50, 51.

ONE little word of Christ revealed to Nathaniel that he was no more hidden from him than from the Father. The self-disclosure which Nathaniel made to God when hidden from all other eyes under the fig-tree, is wholly known to Jesus. This was the first revelation to Nathaniel of that wisdom of which Christ promises him further knowledge, and on it he based his faith and his confession. He had personal evidence of the divinity of Christ.

Is it not clear that the Being who shows man to himself is the true God? This view Christ had given Nathaniel and said, "As clearly will I disclose heaven to thee. Messengers shall come from its open portals and by me make known to you the secrets of the skies. They shall return also to heaven, and bear the revelation of men to write in the book of God's remembrance." So this one first proof by which Nathaniel knew his Lord shall be augmented with other evidence, abundant, continuous, and complete.

Be thou my guide into all truth divine; Give me increasing knowledge of my God. Show me the glories that in Jesus shine, And make my heart the place of his abode.

C. FORSYTH.