DAY_5 Creation of the Birds and Fish

…you will see heaven open…”

“And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.” (Genesis 1:20-23)

“The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:43-51)

Day five is all about God creating the birds and fish and then blessing them. It says that this blessing is for them to multiply; filling the space of the sky and sea with more of them. In John 1:43-51, we see the disciple Philip inviting his friend Nathanael to follow Jesus. The disciples are multiplying in number. The Light from the incarnate Word is continuing to reflect far and wide. Jesus tells skeptical Nathanael that he saw him under the fig tree. One interpretation is that “sitting under the fig tree” is an expression found in Micah 4:4:

“Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, 

and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.” (Micah 4:4) 

It refers to a symbol of waiting for the Messiah. Sitting under your own vine and fig tree was an image of personal peace; a sacred space for you to commune with God. Micah is prophetically saying that at the arrival of the Messiah, each person will be prosperous and commune with God in peace. They won’t fear anything for God will be speaking directly to them. Jesus could be telling Nathanael that he sees his secret longings and desires. He blesses Nathanael and tells him that he will see even greater things. 

It’s ok to have secret desires or dreams. I think the hard part is often allowing God to exceed them, especially when most times exceeding them means crushing our expectations. But let us not be so quick about judging miracles that “come from Nazareth”.  Things coming to you now may be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.