A picture is worth a thousand words, so they say but sometimes just a few words can bring about a revelation. Come and See is a simple phrase that is repeated a few times in the Book of John but when we go beyond the words and understand its theological meaning  a  revelation takes place.I will share with you today some of those places it can be found and go beyond the words to suggest a powerful way to share God’s word, that invites and challenges and has the potential of changing lives.   

The first of these can be found in John 1: 35-39. The first two of the verses John makes note of Jesus walking by. Two of John’s disciples heard his remark and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (Greek translation means Teacher), “where are you staying?” Jesus replied “come and see” and they remained with him the rest of the day. They wanted more than a causal few words with this man John had referred to as the Lamb of God. They wished to linger with him, talk about their problems, seek direction and have someone to share their troubles with. There are many such people in this world we live in today that just want to feel someone is listening. When Jesus said, come and see, they knew what he was saying. Jewish Rabbis used this phrase often. It meant do you want to know the answer to the question? Do you want a solution to your problem? Come and see, we will think about things together. Those seeking Christ will never be satisfied with a passing word of comfort, help them meet him, ask them to come and see. The next passage is found in John 1: 46.

 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and See.” John 1:46

Nathanael quickly replied that Nazareth was not the kind of place that anything good was likely to come out of. Philip was wise. He did not argue. He said simply: ‘Come and See!’ We  find within this exchange a little nugget that we all can profit by. No one has ever been argued into Christianity. Philosophical and argumentative preaching or teaching will do little to win men and women to Christ. We will do better to confront them with Christ, the story of the cross and a simple invite…Come and See.

From here we go to Chapter 4:29-30 and once again we find that phrase Come and See. 4 She said to the people, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30 They left the city and were on their way to him. John 4:29-30

We won’t always know or even be aware that a person has suddenly discovered Christ. We should understand that discovery requires a need for communication. It is a very simple equation. Most discoveries require sharing and with this woman at the well that is exactly what happened. She could not wait to share this encounter with Christ, she had found an amazing person and she was compelled to communicate that with others. Isn’t that what we are called to do today? We cannot communicate Christ to others until we have discovered him for ourselves. Again, it is a simple equation, we find and we tell the story to others. It may very well be that a very simple phrase,Come and See, will open the door to discover Christ and give us the opportunity to tell the story. Thank you for coming by the Pew we will be back here next week.

Come and See .   

 Life is Good

jk