Today’s Good Advice: ‘Come and See”
I once worked a second shift job as the dispatcher for a security company. I toiled alongside an interesting collection of people. Everyone had their own story. One individual stands out because of his bold claim: he (supposedly) worked in Hollywood as a hockey consultant. He (supposedly) briefly appeared in the Mighty Ducks – a beloved Disney film from the 1990s. And, he (supposedly) received significant parts in the ensuing sequels. I had no reason to disbelieve the man; there was not pattern of deception. But, still, why was a Hollywood consultant working as a second shift security officer in Boston? After leaving that job, I happened upon the first Mighty Ducks movie. Remembering the man’s (supposed) claim, I checked for verification. Lo, and behold, there he was on screen. After viewing the sequels, every claim was verified. Sometimes, to truly believe, we need to come and see with our own eyes.
The Bible tells of two men who heard John the Baptist’s bold claim about Jesus: “Look, see God’s Lamb!” (John 1.36). The two men quickly follow Jesus and seeking to learn more about John’s proclamation, ask him, “Where do you live?” (v.38) Jesus responds directly, “Come and see” (v.39). This seemingly innocuous response extends an invitation to verify John’s bold proclamation. Is Jesus really God’s Lamb? Such claim needs investigation. Such claim requires substantiation. Such claim begs for proof. Jesus, with his “Come and see” remark, invites these two truth-seekers to begin their quest and make their own decisions.
A group of Jesus’ first disciples begins to form: Andrew, Simon Peter, and Philip. The latter excitedly tells Nathanael about Jesus: “We have found the man about whom Moses wrote in the books of the law. The prophets also wrote about him. He is Jesus, from Nazareth. He is the son of Joseph” (v.45) Nathanael doubts this bold claim: “From Nazareth? Can any good thing come from there?” (v.46). Apparently, nothing good comes from Nazareth. Philips responds the same advice Jesus gave earlier, “Come and see for yourself” (v.46).
When it comes to understanding Jesus, bold claims by others might pique our interest, but at some point, we must come and see for ourselves. Questions are welcomed; doubts are expected. That is part of the process of understanding Jesus. When some people encounter questions and doubts, they acquiesce to the unknown. “I am sure,” they mutter. They fail to realize that being unsure is part of the journey. They need to “come and see” the Christ. They need get adjacent to Jesus and test him for themselves. Jesus is never known at a distance. Hearing about Jesus will only get us so far, To truly know the savior, we need to get close. We need to “come and see.”
Finally, since following Jesus is a journey and not a destination, it means the need to “Come and see” is ever present. The goal is perfection, and until we reach that destination (and this side of glory, we will not), the arduous path continues to span before us – with the path before us always harder than the path behind us. To move forward, we need a fresh encounter with Jesus. We need to “Come and see,” how Jesus beckons us onward. And as we traverse, we can find just what I found when watching the Mighty Ducks: my friend told the truth. With Jesus, though, the truth is far better than a verification of a personal tale. His truth will us free. And we will be free indeed.
