Come And See

And looking at Jesus as he walked he said, "Behold the lamb of God!"  The two disciples heard him speak, and they 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?"  He said to them, "come and see."  They came and saw where he was staying,  and remained with him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
John 1: 36-39 NKJV

Interestingly enough, the first followers of Jesus had no idea who he was, but they followed him when invited.  We have that same opportunity today, to follow our Lord Jesus when he calls us.  The difference between those very first followers of Jesus and ourselves is that we already know who this Jesus is.  Through the written word of God, the life and teachings of Jesus have been revealed to us.  The early followers of Jesus didn't have this scripture.  The people of Jesus' time had the traditional Jewish Tanakh, which foretold of the coming savior of the Jewish people.  However, as Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, the people did not equate Jesus as the fullfilment of this prophesy.

For unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given; And the government will be on his shoulder.  And his name will be called wonderful, counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

The Tanakh foretold of the coming Christ, the savior of Gods chosen people.  However, it seems that the prevailing thought of that day concerning all the prophets had predicted, was that the coming Messiah would be a military ruler who would deliver the Jews from their hated Roman occupiers.  It may be easy to see how one would draw this conclusion, for the scripture told that Gods people would be delivered.  It seems that people did not see this deliverance as Gods love and mercy saving them from their own sin.
It's against this backdrop that Jesus entered into Galilee to begin his ministry.  When John the Baptists two disciples asked Jesus where it was that he was staying, Jesus replied "Come and see."  The two men accepted Jesus'  invitation and followed him and stayed with him for quite some time.  With each of the men who would follow him Jesus gave the same offer, come and see.  It was not a command to follow, but an invitation.  It may have been a natural curiosity or a calling on their hearts, but they would follow where Jesus led them.  Along the way, they would learn the teachings and life of the savior.  There is no discipleship program in existance that can rival sharing life experience with Jesus as these disciples did.  They didn't study books or watch videos, that walked, ate and lived with Jesus, sharing their lives together.  It's no wonder that many of Jesus' disciples would become the worlds greatest teachers of Jesus, they had lived the experience.  When Jesus instructed his disciples in Matthew 28:19 to "Go and make disciples of all the nations" they were well equipped for the task.  When Jesus invited the disciples to join him, they accepted his offer.  This is the same invitation that Jesus gives us today...come and see.

~Scott~