Come and See

John 1:35-42

35The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

It seems as though I have waited my entire life to hear Jesus say, “Come and see?” Tragically, He may have said it several times but I had so many things going on in my head and so many things on my heart that I never heard him or recognized His voice.

On John’s word, his disciples followed Jesus. When the ‘Teacher’ asked them what they wanted, they asked where he was staying. Jesus’ answer was a simple invitation: “Come and see.” Maybe I never heard him because I was not prepared for the intimacy with the One who could look into my heart.  Being intimate with the Messiah, the Anointed One would require introspection, it would require that I stop being concerned with my own whims and desires and fears and lean into the discomfort of looking at my own soul in the eyes of Jesus.  This intimacy was not to hurt me but to heal me.  I came to realize the intimacy I feared is just what I needed.  Time with Jesus is healing.  It is during this time of intimacy that those things that trouble our hearts and keep us awake at night melt away.  

It is this time of intimacy that prepares us for the great ministry of making disciples to which each of us has been called.  Intimacy with Jesus births compassion in us for those who have not yet come to know Him... and it give us the determination to share His love with them.  

We have been invited to “Come and See”, to come and experience, to come and live to come and know Christ’s love for us.  "Come and see" is God's invitation for fellowship and communion with the One who made us in love for love.  

What do you want? What are your goals? What are your dreams? What is it that keeps you up at night? What troubles your heart? What occupies your mind? Jesus asks us and then invites us to “Come and see.” 

During this season of Lent, let us simply be with Jesus, listening quietly and attentively.  God already knows what occupies my thoughts and my heart. I am waiting to fellowship and commune with Jesus one with One resting in God’s love.

Prayer: Gracious and Loving God, I come and I quiet myself before you...

Toni Belin-Ingram, Pastor

Greater Smith Chapel AME Church

Atlanta, GA

www.greatersmithchapel.org