Who is Jesus? Part 26 – Come and See

I’m a details-first thinker—yep, I’m that person who inspects the fine print on cereal boxes before deciding what to have for breakfast. I build my decisions like a slow-cooked stew, letting each detail simmer until it reaches perfection. Not to brag, but while others are off shooting from the hip with their grand, vague visions, I’m over here meticulously counting the beans—literally and figuratively! Sure, it takes me a while, but at least I won’t end up with a half-baked idea that smells like burnt toast!

I’m not judging the others: Both ways of making decisions have their strengths and their issues.

Jesus not only answered the question from the disciples of John the Baptist, but he also extended a warm invitation that filled the hearts with hope and curiosity.

 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

John 1:39 ESVUK

“Come and you will see” may not be the very first words Jesus speaks in John’s Gospel, but they resonate deeply as if they were. This heartfelt invitation, “come and see,” reflects the compassionate way he reached out to others and shared his message of hope.

He kicked things off with a classic question. Those sneaky disciples of John the Baptist were tiptoeing around like cats in a dog park, trying really hard not to be seen. Were they just curious, or were they secretly auditioning for a spy movie? Who knows! But one thing is for sure— their disguise must have been about as effective as a parachute on a submarine. Jesus, spotting their not-so-fantastic stealth moves, casually throws out, “So, what are you seeking?”

Notice the warmth and openness in this question. It’s not a binary inquiry that invites only a simple yes or no; rather, it transcends the surface-level questions often seen in poorly written Bible studies. Instead, think of the gentle prompts that Jesus offers each of us, such as “What do you truly want?” or “What is it that you seek in your heart?”

Jesus did not simply ask them, “Who are you seeking?” That would have felt a bit restrictive. Instead, he posed the more compassionate question, “What are you seeking?” This approach invites a deeper conversation, allowing for a wide range of responses.

Their answer comes wrapped in a simple question, one that reflects their curiosity and concern. “Where are you staying?” they asked gently. (If you are wondering why so many people in the Bible answer a question with another question, the answer is, “Why not?”) They called him Teacher, Rabbi, a title that perhaps stemmed from John’s profound claim—that this man before them was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. If Jesus had merely responded, “I’m at the inn in the next village,” we could have ended this chapter here, but he chose to extend an invitation instead, warmly inviting them with, “Come and see.”

They went and saw…

…And stayed.

Jesus’ Come and see is a 3-part invitation:

1. To the two disciples of John. They were eager to learn about Jesus, seeking answers that would satisfy their curiosity. However, Jesus was not just interested in their quest for knowledge; he yearned to connect with them on a deeper level. As the two men quietly approached him, they might have seen the modest inn where he was staying and felt a sense of closure in their search. But Jesus, noticing their longing for understanding, paused to engage with them, offering a profound and fulfilling experience that transcended their initial quest.

2. The invitation warmly extends from John, the writer behind this account of Jesus’ life. As we delve deeper, this moment forms a treasured part of the introduction, where “Come and see” resonates as a gentle encouragement from the author, inviting us to explore the profound journey of who Jesus is and to discover more within His story.

3. To you, the reader of the Gospel, this is a heartfelt invitation for you to draw closer to Jesus, rather than observing from afar. It encourages you to come, to see, and to personally welcome Him into your heart. It’s about truly knowing Jesus, allowing that connection to flourish within you.

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