Come and See
John 1:35-51

Have you ever gone through a period of searching in your life? Perhaps you were looking for something or someone, but you were not exactly sure what you were searching for until you happened upon the object of your quest.

This happens in the realm of human relationships. Perhaps you are looking for a circle of friends, or a significant other, be it a spouse, a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, or even a person to mentor you. It is only when you meet the person that you know you have found the one you are searching for.

It is also a common occurrence in discovering our vocation. This is particularly true for young people. There are so many possibilities, and it is often difficult to discover what you are really good at and what you enjoy doing. In many cases, providence or circumstances land people in a profession or vocation, but once they are there, they know they have found what they were looking for.

It is also true when it comes to matters of faith and religion. We live in a religiously pluralistic society that is growing increasingly secular. Twenty-five percent of the nation self-identify as “nones.” They have no religious affiliation. Some of that twenty-five percent are atheists, but the majority consider themselves spiritual but unaffiliated with organized religion.

Still, the vast majority of us are looking for something or someone who transcends this life. St. Augustine, the fourth-century Bishop of North Africa, famously prayed, “O God, Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” It is only in God that we find ultimate meaning, purpose, and significance.

In this morning’s reading from John’s gospel, we meet five people who were searching for something or someone greater than themselves. They did not recognize the person initially, but when they came into sustained contact with him, it was obvious to them that they had found the one they longed for.

The first person was John the Baptist. We know from Luke’s gospel that John and Jesus were relatives (Lk. 1:36). Their mothers were cousins, but John did not recognize who Jesus truly was initially. It took a revelation from God for John to understand who his cousin truly was. John recounted, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God” (Jn. 1:32-34). After this revelation, John recognized that Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John understood that Jesus was at once fully God (He was in the beginning with God.) and fully human (The Word was made flesh.) John saw that Jesus was the one who baptized with the Holy Spirit, the very life of God. John was searching for the one God sent him to herald. When John saw and recognized Jesus, he immediately began to point everyone away from himself and towards the Lamb of God.

Two of John’s disciples heard John’s testimony about Jesus. One of the men was Andrew, Simon’s brother. The other disciple is unnamed, but many have speculated through the ages that the unnamed disciple was none other than the Apostle John, who unobtrusively wrote himself into the gospel of John. Be that as it may, after the two men heard John the Baptist’s witness, they began to follow Jesus. “The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus” (vs. 37).

When Jesus became aware of their presence, he asked them a simple but profound question. “What are you looking for?” (vs. 38). Perhaps this is the question we should be posing to our generation. We should ask this question especially to those who are in darkness. I think of the perpetrators of the record number of homicides in Jackson in 2021. They cannot be looking for violence and bloodshed, despite their actions. What are they really longing for? What are they searching for? What would give their lives meaning, significance, and purpose? Of course, Jesus’ question is pertinent to everyone, not just violent criminals. What are we really looking for?

Andrew and the unnamed disciple’s response is rather odd. We would have expected them to say, “We are looking for the Messiah, the king of Israel.” or “We are looking for Elijah, the forerunner of the Messiah.” or “We are looking for the prophet Moses promised us.” Instead, they asked Jesus, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” (vs. 38). It seems strange that they were interested in the place Jesus was living. Maybe the Lord’s question took them aback. Still, their response opened the door to discovery. Jesus invited them over for a visit. “Come and see,” Jesus said (vs. 39).

If you have had a chance to read the church newsletter, you know that we are going to be studying the life of Christ in 2022. We will be using an exciting and novel approach to the subject called “The Chosen,” a dramatization of the Gospels. Well over three hundred million people worldwide have watched the series. It is a really stimulating, evocative, and encouraging presentation. Be sure to read the Church newsletter for details on how to watch the episodes of Season 1 and participate in a study group. The motto of "The Chosen" is derived from this morning’s text: Come and see. In addition to asking people what they are looking for, we must also invite people to encounter Jesus for themselves. Come and see. Or, to borrow the language of the psalmist, “O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him” (Ps. 34:8).

Andrew and the other disciple followed Jesus to his abode and spent the day with him until about four o’clock in the afternoon. John does not tell us what transpired during their visit, but he does tell us the result of their time with Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was find his brother Simon. Now Andrew knew who the Rabbi Jesus was. Andrew said to Simon, “We have found the Messiah” (vs. 41), but Andrew did not stop with his witness. He brought Simon to Jesus so his brother could experience Jesus for himself.

This is what we must do too. We must bring people into the Church, the Body of Christ, where they can meet Jesus for themselves. In so doing, they will not only gain knowledge of the Son of God, but they will also learn about their true selves. When Jesus looked at Simon, he disclosed Simon’s calling in the Church and gave him a new name in keeping with his vocation. Jesus said, “’You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas (which is translated Peter)” (vs. 42). There is a play on words in this verse that is not readily apparent in our English translations. "Cephas" is the Aramaic word for “rock,” and "Peter" is the Greek word for “rock.” It turns out Dwayne Johnson was not the original “Rock!” Simon “the Rock” came millennia before him! Peter would be a leader in the Church, a rock from whom Jesus’ followers would find courage and strength.

The next person we meet is Philip. We do not know whether Philip was looking for Jesus, but Jesus was looking for him! The text simply says, “Jesus found Philip” (vs. 43). This is a wonderful message for us. We are searching for meaning, significance, and purpose. Often, we do not know where to look, but despite our sporadic and sometimes feeble attempts, we soon discover that God is already looking for us! Jesus found Philip, and he will find us too. Jesus said simply to Philip, “Follow me.” This is our most basic calling in this life: to follow Jesus wherever he may lead us.

The final person we meet in the narrative is Nathaniel. Just as Jesus found Philip, Philip found Nathaniel. Philip enthusiastically witnessed to Nathaniel. Philip said to Nathaniel, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth” (vs. 45). Now Nathaniel was smart. He knew his Torah too. He knew that Moses and the prophets never associated Nazareth with the Messiah. Furthermore, Nathaniel was from Bethsaida, a respectable small city. Nazareth was just a short distance away from Bethsaida. Nazareth was just a little Podunk village. Nathaniel was not shy about sharing what was on his mind. He said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (vs. 46).

Philip was undeterred by Nathaniel’s pointed question and honest skepticism. As Jesus had said to Andrew and the unnamed disciple, so Philip says to Nathaniel, “Come and see.” Just as Jesus had given a new name to Simon disclosing his true self and calling, Jesus declared Nathaniel’s character. “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (vs. 47). Nathaniel was as honest and forthright as the day is long.

Nathaniel was perplexed by Jesus’ statement about his character. Nathaniel asked Jesus forthrightly, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus replied, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you” (vs. 48). This is an enigmatic statement. We do not know what Nathaniel was doing under the fig tree or why he was there. Whatever was going on under the fig tree must have been a moment of deep import to Nathaniel. Nathaniel was immediately convinced of Jesus’ deity and messianic calling. He enthusiastically exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel” (vs. 49). Nathaniel was all in to follow Jesus.

Our passage ends with a final declaration by Jesus. “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (vs. 51). The language is evocative of Jacob’s vision while he slept at Bethel in Genesis 28. Jacob saw a ladder stretching between heaven and earth with angels ascending and descending on the ladder. Upon awakening, Jacob declared, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Gen 28:17). Jesus is not only the Lamb of God, the eternal Word, the Giver of the Holy Spirit, and the promised Messiah. Jesus is also the contact point between heaven and earth.

Furthermore, Jesus is the Son of Man. “The Son of Man” is Jesus’ preferred self-designation in the gospels. The phrase harkens back to Daniel 7:13-14. “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

The message is clear. Jesus Christ is the promised Son of Man, the Lord of heaven and earth, the contact point between God and human beings. For everyone searching for meaning, significance, and purpose, Jesus is the source, the headwater, of all we truly desire and actually need. As the psalmist says, “All my springs are in thee” (Ps. 87:7).

We have drunk from the river of the water of life. That is why we gather in this sanctuary week after week, but we are still thirsty, and so are our searching neighbors. Let us bear witness to our experience of Jesus. Let us tell folks, “I once was lost, but now I am found.” Or, rather, I have been found by the Savior. We are searching, but even more importantly, Jesus is also searching for us.

Let us say to each other, “Come and see.” Let us spend a day with Jesus where he abides with us, in prayer and Bible study. He will convince us that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Then we can go and find others who need the Savior and introduce them to him. Jesus will call us by name and show us our calling and character. Then together we can exclaim enthusiastically with Nathaniel, “You are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!" All glory be to God now and forever. Alleluia! Amen.