Come and See

John 1:38-41 (ESV) Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).

Have you ever been lost for words because of your awe of the person you just met? I wonder how many celebrities are greeted by, “You’re Lebron James!” (or whatever celebrity it happens to be). Do they always reply, “Yes, I am!”? I think of the stupid things I said to the girls I had crushes on as a teen but were too scared of to say anything coherent in their presence. Perhaps that’s what prompted Andrew and his friend to ask Jesus a crazy question.

They did not know Jesus yet, but they had been following John the Baptist for quite a while. They had heard John say over and over he was not the Christ but that he was preparing the way for Him. They were there the day that Jesus first came and John identified Him as, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” When Jesus came by again the next day, Andrew and his friend followed Jesus, perhaps out of curiosity of what made this person so amazing that their hero John felt unworthy to even untie His sandals. Maybe they were whispering to one another, not sure what to do, when Jesus turned and caught them following Him. He asked them, “What are you seeking?”

Perhaps, being caught, they said the first thing they could think of: “Where are you staying?” Maybe it was just a point of conversation. Whatever they meant by their question, Jesus took it as a request for an invitation He was very glad to give: “Come and see.” They spent the whole day with Jesus at the place he was seeing. If they were simply curious to know what kind of room the proclaimed Messiah rented, I am sure they got their answer. In reality, though, they got much more than that. They did not come back to the rest of their traveling companions talking about accommodations. They returned convinced of the identity of their Host. Andrew told his brother Simon (later called Peter), “We have found the Messiah!”

Notice what it took to convince Andrew. It was not arguments. It was relationship. Even if Andrew’s question was rash, Jesus’ invitation to come and see was not. It was all Andrew needed. Jesus extends the invitation to you and me, as well. Spend a day with Him and see for yourself.