Come!

Read > John 1:35-42

“Come and see,” He said…. And they remained with Him the rest of the day (v. 39).

In an evangelism class in church, the instructor asked: “How would you introduce Jesus to an unbeliever? Would you present Jesus as one who solves all our problems, or as one who gives us a healthy self-esteem and happiness?” Good questions!

When introducing Jesus to his two disciples, John the Baptist presents Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (1:29, 36). John reminds us that our basic problem is sin, and our basic need is salvation. Jesus died for our sins.

The disciples immediately followed Jesus (v. 37). Jesus then asked them a simple question: “What do you want?” (v. 38). Would you have asked Jesus for good health? A better job? A happier marriage? More money?

The disciples asked a rather strange question: “Where are you staying?” (v. 38). They weren’t asking for Jesus’ place of residence. What they were actually saying was: We want to spend time with You. They were not seeking something for themselves. They were seeking Jesus Himself. Come and see. The two disciples spent the day with Jesus (v. 39). They modelled for us the demands and privilege of discipleship – spending time with Jesus.

Often we miss the opportunity to spend time with our Saviour because we’re seeking something other than His presence. Do we desire the Giver more than the gifts? We need to pray like Richard of Chichester: “O most merciful Redeemer, may I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly, day by day.”

We need to be spending time with Jesus because we want to know Him intimately. We can’t possibly tell others about Him if we don’t really know Him. – K. T. Sim

More >

·         Psalm 27:4

·         Psalm 42:1-2

·         Psalm 73:24-28

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Have you been spending time with Jesus this past week, talking with Him and listening to His Word? What have you learned from Him that you can share with others?