COME AND SEE

Come and see—what an interesting strategy. Like Andrew and Peter, Philip hardly knew the one he now believed was the Messiah. In fact, the only thing we know for sure is that Jesus said, “Follow me,” and suddenly Philip was proselytizing in His name.

But why? What occurred between the seeing and the following? Nathanael’s first few moments with Jesus give us a clue.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:47–49)

Jesus had a disarming way about Him. Nathanael was humoring his friend Philip and probably his own curiosity, but he was skeptical of Jesus and clearly a bit prejudiced. The town of Nazareth was very small and considered by its neighbors to be uneducated, unreformed, and unrefined. In Nathanael’s mind, anyone born and raised there couldn’t possibly be the Messiah they’d been waiting for, and he was quick to say so. His attitude made Jesus’ first words to Nathanael so interesting and gracious. Instead of, “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is bigotry and zero tact,” Jesus called him honest and took Nathanael off guard. He was indeed a person who spoke his mind, and he was proud of it. He was practical and learned and dealt in brass tacks, but how did the Nazarene know that?

Because Jesus had been watching him—and not just while he sat under a tree. The one-two punch of knowing Nathanael’s whereabouts along with the values that made him tick (unredeemed though they were), were evidence of the supernatural that set Jesus apart. Philip’s come-and-see strategy proved effective because Jesus did the convincing.

As He always does.

Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under a fig tree,’ you believe? You will see greater things than these … Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:50–51)

I imagine Nathanael’s 180 made Jesus chuckle. No doubt there was an omniscient smirk on His face, knowing the signs and wonders Nathanael would come to see on a daily basis and for the rest of his life.

But sure, the fig tree thing was cool.

PRAYER FOCUS

Thank God that He allowed you to “come and see,” and ask Him for direction: Who can I introduce to Jesus and how?

MOVING FORWARD

• Write out your come-to-Jesus story. How did you meet Him? How did He change your mind about who He is and what’s true?
• Since Jesus is no longer walking and talking on earth, what does “come and see” mean now?
• Who is someone in your life who needs to “come and see” Jesus? Pray for that person, then go make the introduction. Trust Jesus to do the convincing.