The Gospel of John: John 1:43-51
Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Today we have to be careful that when someone says follow me, we have to really be prepared and ask ourselves do we want to follow them. History has had some very persuading people who asked people to follow them and things turned rather disappointing, there are many examples throughout history. It was a good thing that those Jesus asked to follow him, didn’t hesitate. What was it about Jesus that caused people to believe in him and follow him with no hesitation? What was there about Jesus to have this kind of effect on people? The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew concludes with the observation, “for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes,” (Matthew 7:29) This shows the ability of Jesus to relate and to show he related with authority. When People met Jesus, they were changed and. whatever their deepest need was, Jesus met it. Then they tell others what happened. And that is how it has worked ever since. One person says to another, “I follow Jesus and invite you to do so too.” It’s always person-to-person. But our task as Christians is not to prove the truth of the Christian faith, our task is not even to persuade others to become Christian. Our task is to say, “Come and see.” That now becomes our task, to tell people, “Come and see.” Come and see what Jesus has done and is doing for you! So today when Jesus calls you, will you hear? Or will you be so absorbed in yourself and your problems that you will not realize that Jesus is calling you? Come and see. Think for a moment about the effect those words might have on you. Perhaps you might be thankful that someone thought to include you. Today and every day, we are called by Jesus! Allow him say to you, ‘Come and see’ and be open to what you may see and feel about Jesus’, come and see him in silence and in prayer, in love, and in other people, in their needs and their joys. Spend the time with Jesus in a quiet place under the fig tree a place of ‘peace and beauty. So as you rest there will you hear and respond to Jesus’ loving call? Come and see!
Let us pray: Lord, thank you for inviting me to know, love, and follow you. Send me to invite others to come and see you. Jesus said: “follow me” and “come and see” how we can change the world. Let us follow Jesus and see what happens next.
Come and see. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 