Come and See

Daily Reading: John 1

Come and you will see. (John 1.39)

Devotional Thought: “We have to pass the bill to see what is in the bill.”  This was spoken by the Speaker of the House concerning the Affordable Care Act.  I do not recommend this as a normal way of legislating, but one thing is certain: if the bill had not passed, we never would have known what was in it!  So, in one sense the Speaker was right.  In order to understand the bill, the American people had to experience the bill.

While I do not recommend this “pass it to see what’s in it” approach to law-making, in matters of faith there is an application.  Those two men who had been introduced to Jesus heard that he was the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  They wanted to know more.  Jesus, instead of giving them a theology lesson, extended an invitation to them: “Come and you will see.”  They followed Jesus, and their lives were changed forever.

Jesus has come to all of us as God, as Word, as Light, as Life, and as the Lamb of God who takes away sin.  We will never fully understand him.  But he invites us, “Learn of me” (Matthew 11.29). 

And like the disciples in John 1, when we follow him, we see, and we learn.  It is good to seek knowledge, but there comes a point when we must take a step of faith.  We must come and see, to "pass the bill to see what is in the bill.”  When Congress did that, some Americans were elated.  Others were disappointed.  When we do that in relation to Jesus, however, we will never be disappointed!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to me and inviting me to come with you.  I believe in you.  I will follow you.  Help me to see - to know the truth that is in you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 34.8-14

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.