Come And See

One fine day at Bethabara, John was standing with two of his disciples. When Jesus walked by, John pointed his two disciples towards Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!" The two disciples ditched John and followed Jesus.

Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” (John 1:38)

When Jesus asked “What do you seek?” The two disciples of John did not answer that question. Instead, they addressed Jesus as “Rabbi”. Then, they asked Him where He was staying.

The disciples’ first response showed the humility of their hearts. By addressing Jesus as Rabbi, they humbly recognized Jesus as their teacher, and themselves as the learners. They turned to Jesus so He could teach them what John could never teach. They wanted to learn from Jesus what they could never learn from anyone else.

After that, they asked Jesus where He was staying. The disciples’ second response showed the eagerness of their souls. No, they were not interested in the geographical location of Jesus’ abode. They wanted to know where Jesus would be staying, so they could be with Jesus for as long as it was possible.

How did Jesus respond to the two disciples?

He said to them, “Come and see.”
They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day. (John 1:39)

********************

Jesus found Philip. And in turn, Philip found Nathanael. Enthusiastically, Philip told Nathanael that he has found the One of whom Moses and the prophets wrote about.

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

How did Philip respond to Nathanael?

Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:46)

Nathanel came to see for himself where Jesus was. When he had encountered Jesus, he said, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

********************

This Christmas, let us come and see. In humility of heart and eagerness of soul, come and see the goodness of God, in the sending of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Come and see the one whom Moses and the prophets wrote about. The one who loves us and saves us from our sin. The one who gave His life for us so we may have eternal life.

What good can come out from Israel? What good can come out from Palestine?

This Christmas, go and see. You may find the Prince of Peace. The One who is yet to bring everlasting peace on earth, but who has already made peace for us with God.