"Come and see"

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”                                                                                            John 1.46

When the two disciples of John the Baptist had questioned Jesus, His response to them had been, “Come and see.” They came, they saw and they remained with Him. The context of the narrative tells us they remained with Him that day, but we know they stayed with Him beyond that day, becoming part of His faithful band of followers.

The next day, Jesus called Philip to follow Him. Philip, in turn, told Nathanael who responded with a querying of Jesus’ origin in Nazareth. Philip’s simple response was, “Come and see.”

I have been called to follow Jesus, and I eagerly do so. I have also been commissioned to go into the world, into all the world, and make disciples. But I don’t believe it’s my work to convert them. This is God’s sovereign work, and I will not presume to take it upon myself. Jesus says clearly, “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me.” (John 6.44) Jesus saves, and He ministers salvation to those drawn to Him by the Father.

I might be used by God to invite people to “check out” Jesus, rather as Philip invited Nathanael. And, like Nathanael, they might be unconvinced, or even downright sceptical. My response is to simply extend the invitation to “Come and see.”

Just as Jesus opened Nathanael’s eyes with simple truth, so God will work today. The Father will draw whom He chooses to the Son. I may be privileged to work with them by inviting unbelievers to “Come and see.”

Mighty God,

I see a wonderful team at work with the Son being the way to the Father, yet no one coming to the Son unless drawn by the Father. There is certainty in this. Those chosen by You will come. And, should there be hesitation, and I am close by, I can join Your wonderful team with the simple invitation to “Come and see.” Thank You.        Amen.

Recognition

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”                                                               John 1.29

John the Baptist saw Jesus and he recognised Him. He knew Him as the Lamb of God. He saw Him as the one who takes away the sin of the world. He witnessed the Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove from heaven and he heard the Almighty declare Jesus to be the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit. He knew that Jesus was the Son of God. He testified to this.

As I ponder on this passage I see in my mind’s eye, and especially in my heart, a most wonderful vision of Jesus. He is walking toward me. He has the most glorious smile on His face, which is lifted up in greeting and contagious freedom. His arms are open wide, and inviting. His whole demeanour is welcoming. He stands ready to forgive my sins – all of them, for all time, past, present and future.

And He yearns to take me up, in His arms, in the sweetest embrace of love, grace and blessing. I also see a dove hovering just above His head. Jesus is offering me the Holy Spirit. He has already filled me with the Spirit but it is as if He wants me to be reminded of the ongoing fullness of the Spirit that I am constantly assured of in Him.

Jesus said during His life on earth, “I and the Father are one.” This is also so with the Spirit. The Father, Son and Spirit are One. And Jesus, as I behold Him in my “seeing” right now, is beckoning me further into one-ness with the Holy Trinity.

O Precious Lord.

I recognise You in Your holiness and love. I abandon myself to You in full surrender. I humbly seek Your forgiveness of all my sins, and I give myself into the fullness of relationship with You. I rush headlong into Your arms. I relish this wonderful opportunity to give myself into deeper, and deepening, relationship with You. Receive me, Lord, and lead me ever onward into the mystery of intimacy with You.         Amen.

Fullness

From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.                       John 1.16

John tells us clearly in the first verse of his gospel, that Jesus is God. This man who walked the earth was God Himself. His humanity was filled with divinity. Nothing was impossible to Him (Matt. 19.26). He enjoyed all authority, in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28.18). This was fullness. He lacked nothing, nothing at all.

And it is from this fullness that we receive. When I turn to Jesus the entire power and provision of heaven is the repository from which I receive. Gosh, I need to get hold of this! It’s all there for me because He has it all, and He is for me.

What is grace? The definition I like is “unmerited favour”. Favour is that quality which places me in the most special place, a place where I am affirmed, supported, strengthened, provided for, and loved. And it has nothing to do with my deserving. God has everything at His command, and He gives to me because of who He is and not who I am.

Furthermore, John reminds me, I receive grace upon grace. This is no “one-off” gesture. There is no ceasing or diminishing to God’s grace. I have a picture of rollers breaking on a beach. As one wave comes crashing in, and dies, so the next wave overtakes it. So I see God’s grace. It is ever-active, ever-giving, ever-blessing. I don’t deserve it, but His love for me assures me of His giving.

Holy God,

I feel small and humbled by the thought of Your magnificent love and grace to me. I thank You for all that You have done in my life, and continue to do. I know I am not deserving.

I am sorry for those times when, I know, I disappoint You. Forgive me, please. In truth, Your love moves me to want to be better. I pray Your grace will help me.

Thank You, O thank You.                         Amen.

Glorious adoration

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD!                                                                                    Psalm 150.6

This whole psalm is a single poem of exhortation to adoration. God is to be praised everywhere – in His sanctuary, and in His mighty firmament. And the praise is not to be stinted, nor stunted! We are encouraged to “let it out” in unrestrained abandon. What a glorious conclusion this brings to the Psalter! The wonder of God is appreciated in our worship of Him.

As I meditate on this motif, I sense the throb and joy of the praise and worship of God’s people down through the ages. We may so easily be tempted to think that ours is the generation that has got right the expressions of love and thanksgiving. But we are merely the latest in a long, long line of faithful, joyful, loving followers.

I am mindful of this. I see myself as part of the most glorious throng, praising God in unity and harmony. Many have suffered, but this seems somehow to increase their ardour and fervour.

Yes, I am part of a glorious body, the Body of Christ. I rejoice with all my brothers and sisters, and I praise my Lord and my God with every breath.

O Mighty, Gracious and Loving God,

I praise You with the whole of my being. I rejoice in Your glorious Self and my relationship with You. I open my heart wide and pour out love and thanksgiving in abundance.

You are the great God, yet You care for me and lavish Your love and grace upon me. I am so grateful. I respond as best I can. I offer You myself. Take me, Lord. Draw me closer, if You will. Equip and use me to share this wonderful relationship with whomsoever You choose. I love You, and worship You in respect and gratitude. Amen.