Come and See - Part 3 - Taking Folks to Jesus' House
by Jerry Ousley

A couple of years ago we visited a place in Southern Indiana. In fact, it was only a few miles south of where we lived. We had never heard of this place before. It boasted of some of the most beautiful gardens I had ever seen in my life. The owner was a very wealthy man who had come to the Lord and had decided to dedicate his life to creating a beautiful place that witnessed of God at every exhibit. There were statues and artifacts from all over the world. All the buildings had been made from timber right there on the grounds. One could see exquisite and beautiful fountains. To say the least, we were in awe of the place.

We told all our friends and relatives about it. We couldn't wait for them to experience what we had experienced. We wanted to take everyone we knew to see this place.

John 1:35-51 talks of this very thing. Two of John's disciples had wanted to know where Jesus lived. He told them to come and see. Later in this passage we read of more disciples coming to Jesus. They were all in awe of who He was and what He offered to mankind. One of those was Philip. He went to get Nathaniel whom he found resting under a fig tree. Nathaniel seemed a bit doubtful of what Philip told him. I'm sure that Nathaniel had heard of many instances where someone was offering hope to others. Perhaps he had gone to see them for himself only to be disappointed when all they really wanted was money, or just one more to join their cause. When Philip mentioned that this Jesus was from Nazareth, Nathaniel thought about the reputation of the small town. It had been known to produce thieves and charlatans. He responded to Philip with the words, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" With a glimmer in his eye, Philip said, "Come and see."

Reluctantly I can see Nathaniel getting up and following Philip to Jesus. When Jesus saw Nathaniel He told him, "Look, an Israelite indeed in whom is no deceit." Nathaniel looked Jesus over suspiciously. Had he seen this man before? How could he know who he was? So he asked Jesus, "How do you know me?" Jesus told him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." That had only been moments ago. It was impossible for Jesus to see him there and then be here so quickly. It was a miracle. It made a believer out of Nathaniel.

The point is that when Philip saw Jesus and realized where He lived, he couldn't wait to tell others about Him. He went immediately to get Nathaniel so he could share this experience with him. When we really get to know Jesus, and discover where He lives, realizing that by coming to Him we can live there too, we become so excited that we want to share this new found wealth with everyone we know.

It's a natural reaction. My wife is a giver. She loves sharing things with other people. If she comes across a good buy at the grocery store she always buys extra so she can share her good fortune with others. That's only a small example of this new found faith. We discover the riches of God, not money necessarily, or wealth in the natural sense, but a wealth that goes beyond things and words. It is a spiritual wealth that brings true happiness and joy. When we find it we want to share it.

Often those people we want to share it with are skeptical. They've seen the "get-rich-quick" schemes and perhaps have fallen into one or two of them. "Is there anything good? Is there really such a plan?" they may ask.

Sometimes it's hard to understand why others can't see the good in the good news of Christ. Why are Christians so persecuted for only wanting to bring salvation to others? We may even feel rejected, and broken-hearted because of the skepticism of others.

But when we do succeed in bringing others to Jesus, it is accompanied with a joy like no other. With the same glimmer that Philip must have had in his eyes, when they ask such questions we can tell them, "Come and see!"

Jerry D. Ousley is the Author of five books, "Soul Challenge", "Soul Journey" "Ordeal" "The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional" and his first novel "The Shoe Tree." Listen to the daily broadcast Spirit Bread. Find out more by visiting www.spiritbread.com
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