Come and See

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip.

Jn.1:45,46

Jesus is starting his public ministry by calling his first disciples. He has just invited Philip to follow him. Philip inturn invites a sceptical Nathanael to "Come and see".

I love this part of the New Testament story. It's evangelisation 101. Jesus invites Andrew to "Come and see". Andrew invites Peter. Jesus invites Philip to "Follow me". Philip invites Nathanael to "Come and see". There's a relational energy flowing that is irresistible, even to a sceptic like Nathanael and a clod of a fisherman like Peter.

This is very much the dynamic of the Alpha course I am involved in at the moment. Friends inviting friends to come and see. Bring your scepticism, your questions, your cherished beliefs whatever they are. Come and see. People don't have to be perfect before they are invited to meet Jesus. In fact the opposite is true. The more I admit my brokeness the more Jesus welcomes me.

The beauty and power of this invitation is that it allows for transformation from the inside out. Being accepted, no matter where I am from or what my belief, stops me from being defensive. This in turn makes me receptive. Receptive to what? To the amazing, life transforming knowledge that I am infinitely loveable and infinitely loved by God.

I can be part of this invitation to "Come and see" today.

Jesus, you invited me to "come and see" through people in my life who were excited about you. Help me pass on that excitement to those you place before me today. 
Little Flower, please pray for me.