Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:46)
How easy it would have been for Phillip to win this challenging question by intellectual or theological argument. But instead, Phillip just said respectfully, without sensationalism or over-emphasizing :
“Come and See.”
Nathanael knew that the OT prophets had predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Nazareth was an obscure village back in the day. Nathanael simply could not fathom that such a significant person as Jesus could come from such an insignificant place as Nazareth. And Phillip’s response was truly amazing:
“Come and see:”
Philip did not argue, debate, or criticize in responding to Nathanael. Truth is not best imparted by argument but by the respectful invitation to
“Come and See.”
Rather than accepting the invitation to “Come and See,” some people often will ignore God and His ways in favor of their own ways. As Jeremiah noted:
“They have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jer 2:13.
Who would set aside a fountain of living water for a cracked cistern, a pit that collected rainwater but that could not hold it? God told the Israelites they were doing that very thing when they turned from him, the fountain of living water, to the worship of idols. Not only that, but the cisterns they chose were broken and empty. The people had built religious systems in which to store truth, but those systems were worthless. Why should we cling to the broken promises of unstable “cisterns” (money, power, religious systems, or whatever transitory thing we are putting in place of God) when God promises to constantly refresh us with living water.
In the modern-day example prophesied in Rev 18:4 the call still goes out to “come out of her my people,” and to turn away from the false systems of worship and belief that are ruining the world. As the Bible puts it, the people of Babylon had lived in luxury and pleasure. The city boasted, “I am queen on my throne.I have no reason to mourn.” All people who think they are OK without God are susceptible to this same attitude. A person who is financially or spiritually comfortable often feels invulnerable, secure, and in control, feeling no need for God or anyone else. This kind of attitude defies God, and His judgment against this kind of rebellion is very harsh. We are told to avoid Babylon’s sins. If you are feeling secure, be careful. Don’t become complacent and deluded by the myth of self-sufficiency. Use your blessings, dedicate your resources to help others and to advance God’s Kingdom. That is why God says
“Come out of her my people.” (Rev 18:4)
Society is ranging into two great classes, the obedient and the disobedient.
When the Samaritan Woman asked Jesus about why He was offering to give her a drink of water from the well, Jesus answered:
“…”You don’t know what God wants to give you, and you don’t know who is asking you for a drink. If you did, you would ask me for the water that gives life.” (John 4:10)
What did Jesus mean by “living water”?
In the Old Testament, many verses speak of thirsting after God as one thirsts for water (Psalms 42:1; Isa 55:1; Jer 2:13; Zech 13:1). God is called the fountain of life (Psalms 36:9) and the fountain of living water (Jer 17:13). In saying he would bring living water that could forever quench a person’s thirst for God, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah. Only the Messiah could give this gift that satisfies the soul’s desire.
On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.” Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in Him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory. (John 7:37-39, CEV)
Jesus’ words, “come and drink,” alluded to the theme of many Bible passages that talk about the Messiah’s life-giving blessings (Isa 12:2-3; Isa 44:3-4; Isa 58:11). In promising to give the Holy Spirit to all who believed, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah, for that was something only the Messiah could do.
Jesus used the term living water in John 4:10 to indicate eternal life. Here he uses the term to refer to the Holy Spirit. The two go together: Wherever the Holy Spirit is accepted, he brings eternal life. Jesus teaches us more about the Holy Spirit in John 14-16. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus’ followers at Pentecost (Acts 2) and has since been available to all who believe in Jesus as BOTH Lord, and Savior. “To them that received Him gave he power to become the sons and daughters of God.” (John 1:12). Jesus says clearly in Acts 1:8 what that power involves:
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The Bible tells us that after Jesus said this before the crowd, how that great arguments and divisions amongst the people started to happen. Did you ever attend a church that acted like this:
The people started taking sides against each other because of Jesus. (John 7:43)
Some people insisted that
1/ “he must be a prophet” (John 7:40)
2/ some insisted that “he is The Messiah,” (John 7:41)
3/ to which others vehemently argued “”Can the Messiah come from Galilee?”
4/ Something like the question “”Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
5/ Still others were clamouring about how “the Messiah will come from the family of King David. Doesn’t this mean that he will be born in David’s hometown of Bethlehem?” (John 7:42)
The crowd was asking questions about Jesus. Some believed, others were hostile, and still others disqualified Jesus as the Messiah simply because he was from Nazareth, not Bethlehem (Mic 5:2). But he was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). Although he grew up in Nazareth. Jesus may have had a pronounced Gaililean accent. If they had looked more carefully, they would not have jumped to the wrong conclusions. When you search for God’s truth, make sure you look carefully and thoughtfully at the Bible with an open heart and mind. Don’t jump to conclusions before knowing more of what the Bible says.
The arguing and divisions in the church reached the point where “…some of them wanted to take Him, but no one [dared] lay hands on Him.” (John 7:44)
Bible prophecy looks to the day where the Church stops arguing, bickering, and playing “Churchianity:”
“…the Spirit and the Bride (Church) say, “Come!” And let all those who hear say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev 22:17)
Both the Holy Spirit and the Bride, (the church), during the end times, will be seen extending this same invitation to all the world to come to Jesus and experience the joys of salvation in Christ.
“Come and See” is the end time message for God’s people today.
When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, He had told her of the living water that he could supply (John 4:10-15). This image is used again as Christ invites anyone to come and drink of the water of life. The Good News is unlimited in scope—all people everywhere may come. Salvation cannot be earned, because God gives it freely. (Isa 55:1, Rom 3:24) We live in a world desperately thirsty for living water, and many are dying of thirst. But it’s still not too late. Let us invite everyone we know to come and drink.
The Church leaders back in the day wanted to harm and kill Jesus. Are we any different today? We often want to “KILL” Jesus. Get Him out of everywhere in our daily life where we deem Him to be “inconvenient.” How many of us are wiling to make room in our hearts for Jesus? How many of us “have no room at the Inn?” No room in our heart? No room in our life. No room in our church (for Jesus) today? How many of us have hearts full of the guilded cares of the secular world? No room for Jesus. No will to just accept the kindly invitation:
“Come and See.” (John 1:39)
If those who don’t know the salvation of God will come at the command of Christ, they would soon see that with Jesus is the fountain of life, and in his light they should see light. But is anyone today in your church giving out the invitation:
“Come and See?”
My friends, if anyone seriously inquires where Christ dwells, God invites you to kindly give the following response:
Jesus does not dwell in the tumult of worldly affairs, nor in profane assemblies, nor in worldly pleasures, nor in the place where drunkards proclaim their shame, nor in carelessness and laziness. Jesus is found in his temple, wherever two or three are gathered together in his name, (Mat 18:20), in secret prayer, in self-denial, in fasting, in self-examination. We cannot do any such of these things to others! Only to ourselves! (Ezekiel 14:14, Ezekiel 14:20). Each one must for their own sake
“Come and See.”
Jerusalem’s “persistent unfaithfulness” was so offensive to God that the presence of spiritual giants such as Noah, Job, Daniel, etc could not prevent any judgment by famine, wild beasts, military invasion (sword), disease (pestilence) etc. No one can begin or sustain a relationship with Jesus for you. You have to do it yourself, You have to just “Come and See.”
Today, Jesus dwells in the humble, contrite spirit. In the spirit of faith, of love, of forgiveness, of universal obedience. In a word, Jesus dwells in the heaven of heavens, (Heb 7:25) where He graciously purposes to bring each of us, if we will come and learn of him, and receive the salvation which he has bought for us by his own blood. (Eph 2:13, Gal 6:14)
Although the Romans ruled Palestine, they gave the Jewish religious leaders authority over minor civil and religious affairs. The religious leaders supervised their own Temple guards and gave the officers power to arrest anyone causing a disturbance or breaking any of their numerous ceremonial laws. Because these leaders had developed hundreds of trivial laws, it was almost impossible for anyone, even the leaders themselves, not to break, neglect, or ignore at least a few of them some of the time. But amazingly these Temple Guards couldn’t find one reason to arrest Jesus. And as they listened to Jesus to try to find evidence, they couldn’t help hearing the wonderful words he said.
Like Nathanael of old there are many today who look at Jesus and say
“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”” (John 1:46)
The reply of any true disciple of Jesus will be:
“Come and see.” (John 1:46)
Back in the day, Nazareth was despised by the Jews because a Roman army garrison was located there. Some have speculated that an aloof attitude or a poor reputation in morals and religion on the part of the people of Nazareth had led to Nathanael’s harsh comment. Nathanael’s hometown was Cana, about four miles from Nazareth. When Nathanael heard that the Messiah was from Nazareth, he was surprised.
Philip responded,
“Come and See…” (for yourself).
Fortunately for Nathanael, he went to meet Jesus and became a disciple. If he had stuck to his prejudice without investigating further, he would have missed the Messiah! Don’t let people’s stereotypes about Christ cause them to miss his power and love. Invite people to come and see who Jesus really is. Show people by the way you live that you have been with Jesus:
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
Yes, Nathanael had initially doubted Jesus but he did accept the invitation to
“Come and See”
(for himself).
And then just a couple of verses later we read:
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him,
“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” (John 1:47).
Its almost like Jesus was giving us an inside peek at what the 144,000 of Bible prophecy looks like:
And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Rev 14:5)
Jesus knew that the disciples were following Him. They were the first fruits of His ministry, and there was joy in the heart of the divine Teacher as these souls responded to His grace. Yet turning, He asked only,
“What seek ye?”
He would leave them free to turn back or to speak of their desire.{DA 138.6}
Of one purpose only were they conscious. One presence filled their thought. They exclaimed, “Rabbi, where dwellest Thou?” In a brief interview by the wayside they could not receive that for which they longed. They desired to be alone with Jesus, to sit at His feet, and hear His words. {DA 138.7}
“Jesus said unto them:
“Come and see.”
They came and saw where He dwelt, and they abode with Him that day.” {DA 139.1}
If John and Andrew had possessed the unbelieving spirit of the priests and rulers, they would not have been found as learners at the feet of Jesus. They would have come to Him as critics, to judge His words. Many thus close the door to the most precious opportunities. But not so did these first disciples. They had responded to the Holy Spirit’s call in the preaching of John the Baptist. Now they recognized the voice of the heavenly Teacher. To them the words of Jesus were full of freshness and truth and beauty. A divine illumination was shed upon the teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures. The many-sided themes of truth stood out in new light. {DA 139.2}
If Nathanael had trusted to the Church leaders of his day and age for guidance, he would never have found Jesus. It was by seeing and judging for himself that he became a disciple. So in the case of many today whom prejudice withholds from the good or the right. How different would be the result if they would simply
“Come and See”! {DA 140.5}
Today, Jesus is reaching out to you with the very same message. The “everlasting gospel:”
“Come and See.” (John 1:46)
According to the everlasting gospel, (Rev 14:6-7) as it began to proceed out of Nazareth, there is always hope among the fragments of our sin and grief. If your heart has been broken by grief, broken by worry, broken by death, broken by loneliness, broken by fear, or broken by anything else, then “come and See.”
Come and See!
Jesus will make beautiful art out of all your broken pieces. For the everlasting gospel, THE gospel, shows that we are all born of the anguish we bear; and when we “Come and See” by His power, (John 1:12) we turn all our brokeness, all of our fragments of lostness, and through Jesus, by God’s promises, we turn that all into the love and comfort that we want to give. Jesus says
“Come and see.
Gather up all of the fragments that remain now, so that absolutely nothing will be lost. (John 6:12)
It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter who you are not. All Jesus asks is to
“Come and See.”
and in return
“…the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” And let those who hear say, “Come!” And let all who thirst come. Whoever desires, let them take the water of life freely.
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. (Rev 22:17, Isa 55:1)
Come and See!