COME AND SEE
Carey Madding
Today’s Scripture: “Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?’ And they said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and you will see.’” John 1:38-39b, ESV
Theme: If you’ve been invited to come and meet the Savior, now is the time to invite others.
COME LOOK!
Every parent has heard their child: “Mama, Daddy! Come look!” It could be a frog in the grass or a rainbow. It could be a pretty rock that looks like gold. It is never a bad thing: kids do not voluntarily draw attention to a broken lamp or crayons on the wall.
It is human nature to want to share good or beautiful things. When we are on a road trip, we tease my husband because “Look at that” is his favorite phrase. Sometimes he modifies it to, “See it? See it?” It is so commonplace that it is comical!
OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE
There are several people in the Gospels who say some variation of, “Come and see.” I hadn't noticed until today that the very first one was Jesus. In our verse of the day, He responds to them following Him by asking: “What are you seeking?” They offer a lame answer about where He is staying, but that is a cover. They had heard John the Baptist call Jesus “the Lamb of God.” This title was first used by John, but harkened back to the Passover Lamb, proclaiming Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. They had been waiting for the Messiah, following John, and were seeking real spiritual answers. When they ask the superficial question about His lodging, Jesus replies with an invitation. They come with Him and spend the rest of the day learning from Him.
Another example of someone saying “come and see” was Andrew. He left Jesus and said to his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah!” (John 1:41b, ESV). And the Bible tells us, “He brought him to Jesus” (John 1:42a, ESV). Andrew did exactly what Jesus modeled: he invited his dear brother to meet God. Over and over we see this: Philip said to Nathanael, “Come and see.” The woman at the well tells her entire town, ““Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:29, ESV).
Make It Personal: We do not normally try new things without an invitation. Often, it is the third or fourth invitation that moves us to action. Do you remember the invitation which brought you to hear and accept eternal life in Christ? Pray about who you could invite to “come and see” with you. Begin to talk about The Cove, or Movies at The Cove, or some other event that would speak to them. Be like Andrew: offer to bring them to Jesus. Suggest driving them to the event or having a meal with them after the service. Extend an invitation like the one that was extended to you.
Pray: Lord, You are lovely. You are beautiful. I am in awe of all You have done for me. Help me to remember that amazement and joy ... and take the time to invite others into that same relationship with You. Give me boldness, but also a heart of compassion and excitement for the great invitation I am able to offer to others. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Read: John 1:35-51; 4:28-30
Weekly Memory Verse: “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42a, ESV