“There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him…The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:6-7, 29).
“Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).
“And Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What do you seek?’ They said to Him, ‘Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying? He said to them, ‘Come and you will see’” (John 1:38-39).
It is not surprising that John’s disciples wanted to follow Jesus because that was John’s message to those who were baptized by Him. He told them to believe on Him who is to come (John 1:6-7; Acts 19:4). It is not surprising that Jesus’ apostles had first been John’s disciples. John was preparing the way for Jesus.They had to take that first step before they could follow Jesus. To reject John’s baptism was to reject God’s purpose. Luke explained, “But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John” (Luke 7:30). They could not be Jesus’ apostles if they had rejected John’s baptism.
It is interesting that John’s disciples did not just take John’s word about Christ being the Lamb of God. They wanted to know for themselves so they asked where He was staying so that they could spend time with Him. That is a great lesson for us. We should not take anyone’s information about Jesus without checking it out for ourselves. We need to spend time with Jesus and we do that by studying the Bible.
When Jesus said, “Come and you will see,” He was inviting them to investigate! Another great lesson for us. Jesus wants us to investigate. He doesn’t want us to blindly follow. It is not an insult to Jesus for people to want to know. He wants each of us to have his or her own faith, not a faith based on someone else’s faith.
Thomas is called “Doubting Thomas” by us, not by Jesus because he said he would not believe “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe”(John 20:25). Jesus did not call him a “doubter,” rather He said, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands, and reach here your hand and put it into My side, and do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27). Jesus wants to be investigated so that His followers are not following with a blind faith. Today, anyone who has a Bible can investigate Jesus and come away a believer.
Jesus always invites investigation. That is what is so frustrating when those who do not really know Jesus or who do not have a clear understanding of what Jesus wants them to do, but they will not investigate the evidence. Truth should never be afraid of investigation! Recently, I’ve had several people reject what I’ve said about Jesus, but they would not investigate to see if what I said was true or false. None so blind as those who will not see!
Those Who See Bring
“One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Abdrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which translated means Christ). He brought him to Jesus” (John 1:40-42).
What a great lesson for us! Someone brought us to Christ. Who have we brought to Christ? We may need to start with our own family as Andrew did! Interestingly, most of the world has never heard of Philip, but the whole “Christan World” has heard of Peter. The one you bring may become more famous in the Christian world than you. That is okay!
“The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip, And Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me’” (John 1:43). Jesus is still searching for others!
Notice the Pattern
“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). Those who are found should find others to bring! Who have you brought?
Nathanael questioned the idea of following Jesus by saying, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Philip didn’t give up on bringing him to Jesus but said, “Come and see” (John 1:46). Doubters who investigate can become believers! We should not give up on bringing someone to Jesus who expresses doubt or has some incorrect views about Jesus. If they are willing to “come and see” the evidence may change their minds.
Conclusion
First, let’s continue to be investigators when we hear something we, at first, do not believe. Let’s come and see. What we had believed before may be wrong. We need to be willing to investigate to make sure that what we know about Jesus is accurate. A truth seeker is always examining what he or she hears.
Second, let’s urge others to “come and see.” Most people will never come to Jesus until someone challenges their thinking and urges them to examine.
Third, let’s not determine if one is willing to investigate or not investigate. Let’s invite him or her and let them decide. God did not make us soil testers, but seed sowers.
Fourth, let’s not give up because someone doubts or has the wrong view about Jesus to begin with. Let’s be patient, invite them to come and see and then show them the evidence.
wayne@rockymountainchristian.gmail
