Come & See
For Meditation
In the Gospel of John, “sight” is a major theme that weaves throughout the book. In his famous prologue, John writes that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us- “we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only” (1:14). John reminds us that no one has ever seen God, and yet the One and Only at the Father’s side has made the Father known (1:18). John the Baptist is the first human character we meet in this Gospel, and he is constantly telling people to look and see the Lamb of God. In seeing Jesus, we see the Father, and by seeing him we may believe in him and have life in his name (20:31).
In our text this week, we hear about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and his first interactions with his disciples. Jesus' invitation to his first disciples is so simple and clear - “Come and see” (1:39). In inviting them to come, Jesus invites them to make a step toward him in faith. In inviting them to see, Jesus invites them to experience all that Jesus reveals about God. And ultimately, they stay with him, indicating that Jesus desires a relationship with each of us. Come, see, stay. The invitation to discipleship is simple and clear.
For preparation for worship this week, watch this video intro to the first half of the Gospel of John from the Bible Project. Invite God to help us see Jesus and know life in his name.
John 1:35-42
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).