DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP DBF-001-021 Today’s Scripture John 1:51 (ESV) “And he said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” Opening the Scriptures Jesus had told Nathanael that he would see “greater things.” He now begins to explain just how great those things would be. His words point back to Genesis 28, where Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with the angels of God ascending and descending upon it. But Jesus now places Himself at the center of that picture. He declares that the angels will ascend and descend “on the Son of Man.” The message is profound: Jesus Christ is the One through whom sinful humanity is reconciled to the holy God. The way to God is not found through human achievement, religious ceremonies, good works, or our own righteousness. The way to God is Jesus Christ. Living God’s Word Today Our world offers countless ways by which people believe they can reach God. Some trust religion. Others trust morality. Some believe that simply being sincere is enough. Others assume that doing more good than evil will make them acceptable before God. Jesus destroys that confidence. Later in John’s Gospel He will state plainly, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Christianity is therefore not primarily about humanity climbing upward toward God. It is about God coming down to rescue sinners through His Son. Jesus Christ took upon Himself our humanity. He lived the righteous life we could never live. He went willingly to the cross, bearing the judgment due to sinners, and He rose victorious from the grave. Our hope is not found in what we can do for God. Our hope is found entirely in what Christ has done for us. John chapter 1 began by declaring that the eternal Word was God. It has shown us the Word becoming flesh, John the Baptist identifying the Lamb of God, and ordinary people beginning to follow Jesus. Now the chapter closes by directing our eyes toward the One at the center of everything: Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, the only way to the Father. Do not place your confidence in yourself today. Place your confidence completely in Christ. Question for Today: Where are you placing your confidence for acceptance before God? Respond: “My hope is in Christ alone.”