The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, “What are you after?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” He replied, “Come along and see for yourself.”
John 1: 37-38 (The Message)
The last two days we have talked about the invitations Jesus has been giving, namely, “Come and Follow” and “Come and Dine”. Today Jesus has another invitation “Come and See”.
Have you ever been told about someone, and though they seemed an interesting person and that you must take time to find out more about that person? Perhaps you would head to the internet and go into Wikipedia or search the web (Facebook, Twitter etc) for more info.
Well in AD 30 two people had heard from a man called John about a man called Jesus and this Jesus seemed very interesting, so interesting that these two men decided to take time out and seek Jesus.
The first step anyone needs to take is never to be satisfied with the information you have been given about someone. You have to do your own investigation.
Let me ask you who was the person(s) that gave you the interest to know more about Jesus. Why not stop now and just thank God for them.
Perhaps you have never really investigated Jesus. If not might I suggest the Alpha course, a great course which will introduce you to this man called Jesus?
Well, that’s exactly what these two guys do, they go and find Jesus for themselves. They ask Jesus perhaps a strange question, where do you stay? This was more than just a request for Jesus postcode, it was to desire fellowship. They wanted to find out for themselves and to discover whether what John had told them was really true.
It’s interesting to note at this point that Jesus doesn’t turn around and say who are you seeking? He actually asked them what are you seeking? The point is this, it was very evident they were seeking Him. Therefore He asked them what they sought in him. What is it about Jesus that’s so interesting? What makes Jesus so different? What is in Jesus that is worth discovering?
What actually took place conversationally we are not privy to, but what we do know is that Jesus graciously says come and see. Today the same answer is given to everyone who wants to know what is in Jesus, Jesus would say come and see.
We do know the outcome of this event. It was not only the two guys who decided to do the two things we have talked about in the last two days, but they invited others to do so also, one actually finding his brother Peter.
They saw in Jesus what they had been longing and hoping for. To them he was the promised Messiah, the one who would deliver Israel. For me too, Jesus is a deliverer, giving me freedom and giving me a relationship with God the Father. For my investigation brought me to the conclusion that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the one sent from God the Father to deliver me from sin and bring me into an eternal relationship with Him.
I don’t know what you’re longing and hoping for especially in these times that we are living in, but this I do know that Jesus himself says that he can give us life to the full. At this present time, we are not living life to the full due to restrictions that we must have in place, so that in the long term we may return to some sort of normality. God’s offer of a full life is not just for this present but it is for the future too and knowing that God has my best interest at heart helps me through these challenging and different days.
In the Gospel of John, we see many ones to one encounter of people seeking Jesus and the outcome of those meetings. I would recommend you read for yourself those encounters and better still investigate Jesus for yourself.
Remember Jesus was ready to hear their requests, He did not put them off to some future day. He was willing that they should come at once and enjoy the full opportunity which they desired. It tells me Jesus is ever ready to allow those who seek him to be in His presence and He will allow you too, Come and See awaits you!