Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!” Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.”
But Philip said, “Come, see for yourself.” John 1:45-46 (The Message)
“Come and see.” Theologians and Bible scholars might identify Philip as the first evangelist of the New Covenant. I believe this is the evangelism that Jesus called us all to practice when He said, “Go into all the world and baptize and share all that I have taught you.”
Come and see God’s inspiration. Handel wept as he wrote The Messiah in 24 days and signed the last page with “To God alone the glory.” I have wept every time I have sung pieces of this work or sat in the audience and listened. I have wept reading passages of the Bible and reading some works of contemporaries who have written their own God-given revelation. I believe it is God who inspires and touches my spirit when I hear or see His inspiration in words, music, art, and dance. If we would just open our hearts and minds, we can experience God’s inspiration. Come and see.
Come and see God’s love and forgiveness. I know three couples who have had miraculous God-given recreation in their broken marriages. I watched as these couple fell under the weight of sin and broken promises. And I have wept. But God’s love and mercy is more powerful than any of man’s intentional or careless mistakes and sins. I wept with joy as God, like the potter, took the clay of these marriages and formed a new and stronger creation of His plan and design. God’s love and mercy is there for us to plug into any time, day or night. Come and see.
Come and see a changed life. Jesus changed the lives of fishermen, tax collectors and church leaders, as they followed His example and became servants bringing the love of the Most High God to anyone who would seek Him. He can set an addict free and restore love to an orphaned child no matter their age. A life led by anger and ambition can be changed to a life of peace and service as it is broken and recreated by the perfect love of God.
Come and see my life. There is no fanfare. There is no applause. Whatever good there is in my life, “to God alone the glory.”
There was a baby in a manger who was born to a young girl and a carpenter. He left home around the age of 30 and chose 12 guys to teach for three years. He spoke to all who would listen about God’s love and plan for His children. The plan was driven by His divine grace and mercy that would be ultimately shown in the sacrifice of His Son, Emmanuel, God with us. This sacrifice would happen, not in a beautiful temple but on a Roman cross. His teaching would continue and be multiplied throughout the world, not just by great scholars but by everyone who was willing to share what He had taught them. I heard it, really heard it on a summer night and my life has been forever changed.
Come and see. Simple inspiration from God.
What Child is This? written by William Chatterron Dix and sung by Andrea Bocelli & Mary J. Blige
