Come and see

Come and See

Can you hear the excitement in Philip’s voice as he goes to find Nathanael?   “We have found him!   We have found him!”   And yet Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, is not altogether ready to share in the enthusiasm.   “Really? You expect me to believe that the Messiah is from a backwoods town like Nazareth?”

As Nathanael came to get a closer look, Jesus looked into his heart.   He did not rebuke him for being a skeptic or for taking so long to come.   He looked past all of that and spoke about the strength of character he saw.   This intrigued Nathanael, and he talked more with Jesus until he was convinced that this really was the Messiah.

What a change

What a change!   Gone is the cynic.   Gone is the dreamer, the student sitting under a tree, caught up in his learning.   Instead there is a new disciple, a man willing to follow Jesus, a future saint who will come to see heaven opening up for him.   Nathanael was so moved by Jesus that after Pentecost he went on to be a bold evangelist.   He traveled as far as Armenia, where he is said to have converted the king, Polymius—an act that led to his martyrdom.   And to think that it all started when his friend Philip went out to find him.

Many people will tell you that there was someone in their life whose witness had a great impact in their own life of faith.   One person reached out to them just where they were and walked beside them, leading them to Jesus.   In fact, many saints and Christian thinkers, from St. Augustine to C. S. Lewis, tell us that they owe their faith to someone who, like Philip, invited them to “come and see” .

You, too, can be like Philip.   You can tell your friends or family members, “Come and see.”   It may take just a bit of courage, but the Holy Spirit can provide what you may lack.   Remember, God is the One who changes hearts, all you have to do is invite them to come to him.   Just bring them to Jesus, and he will take care of the rest.

word among us