In the first chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus begins calling his disciples. His call is simple: “Come, and see.” He is gathering followers who will eventually leave everything – their plans, occupations, families, and even their identities – as they become bearers of the gospel message. Andrew and another soon-to-be-disciple saw Jesus and, hearing him named as “The Lamb of God” they began to follow him. Jesus turned and seeing them he asked them what they wanted. They responded, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Jesus replied, “Come and see.”
As we know, Jesus never stayed long in one place. And if anyone wanted to follow him – to learn from him – they had to literally get up and go with him, because that’s how he taught. He preached in synagogue, of course, but his closest followers learned the reality of the Way, the Truth, and the Life by following Jesus – literally. We can’t stay where we are and still experience the reality and life-changing touch of God’s uncontrollable, uncontainable, undeniable, unpredictable Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8).
Growth requires adaptation. We adjust our ways and our habits and our plans to stay in line with God’s will and desire for us. So here I am among you, seeking to follow as Jesus will lead. I don’t know about you, but I am eager to ‘come and see!’
May God’s grace abound to you today. May you know the favor that rests on you as a child of the Living God. May peace prevail in your life, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Pastor LuAnn Rourke