COME AND SEE! (John 1:35-51)
Pastor Frank Park | Founding and Senior Pastor
Two disciples of John the Baptist were standing nearby when Jesus passed by. John pointed and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” and immediately they began to follow Jesus. When Jesus noticed them trailing behind, He asked one of the most piercing questions ever asked:
“What are you seeking?”
It’s the same question He asks us today: What are you truly looking for? Success, peace, identity, or purpose? Their answer wasn’t theological or profound. They simply said, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” In other words, “We just want to be where You are.”
Jesus’ reply was an open invitation: “Come and see.” Not “come and perform,” not “come and prove,” but “come and be with Me.” Jesus was the most relational person who has ever existed. That if you are not relational, you’re not biblical. Following Jesus begins with proximity, not perfection.
Andrew and the other disciple accepted the invitation and it changed everything. Andrew immediately found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus, who renamed him Peter, which was a symbol of transformation and destiny. Imagine meeting someone for the first time and introducing yourself to that person and the first thing that person tells you is that moving forward you have a different name. It’s almost like Jesus is in charge.
Later, Philip met Jesus and found Nathanael, who doubted at first. But when Jesus revealed that He saw Nathanael under the fig tree, the skeptic became a believer, confessing, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus promised him he would see even greater things. That he would see heaven opened, and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
This passage reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just call the qualified. Rather, He qualifies the called. It shows that it is always the power of God and never the power of man. Jesus took a bunch of blue collared fishermen from a small rural town and changed the world. And we are still experiencing what they launched thousands of years later. Jesus sees you where you are, knows your doubts, and still invites you to come and see. Every true encounter with Jesus leads to transformation and mission: those who meet Him can’t help but bring others to Him.
Reflection Questions
“What are you seeking?”
It’s the same question He asks us today: What are you truly looking for? Success, peace, identity, or purpose? Their answer wasn’t theological or profound. They simply said, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” In other words, “We just want to be where You are.”
Jesus’ reply was an open invitation: “Come and see.” Not “come and perform,” not “come and prove,” but “come and be with Me.” Jesus was the most relational person who has ever existed. That if you are not relational, you’re not biblical. Following Jesus begins with proximity, not perfection.
Andrew and the other disciple accepted the invitation and it changed everything. Andrew immediately found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus, who renamed him Peter, which was a symbol of transformation and destiny. Imagine meeting someone for the first time and introducing yourself to that person and the first thing that person tells you is that moving forward you have a different name. It’s almost like Jesus is in charge.
Later, Philip met Jesus and found Nathanael, who doubted at first. But when Jesus revealed that He saw Nathanael under the fig tree, the skeptic became a believer, confessing, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus promised him he would see even greater things. That he would see heaven opened, and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
This passage reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just call the qualified. Rather, He qualifies the called. It shows that it is always the power of God and never the power of man. Jesus took a bunch of blue collared fishermen from a small rural town and changed the world. And we are still experiencing what they launched thousands of years later. Jesus sees you where you are, knows your doubts, and still invites you to come and see. Every true encounter with Jesus leads to transformation and mission: those who meet Him can’t help but bring others to Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are you truly seeking from Jesus today?
- How has Jesus invited you recently to “come and see?"
- What would it look like for you to invite others to meet Jesus, like Andrew did with Peter