The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” ~ John 1:43-51
When I think about it, it occurs to me that Jesus' whole life was one based on invitation.
Follow me. Come and see.
Invitations to grow.
Invitations to love.
Invitations to serve.
And all were made welcome. The rich and the poor. The sick and the healthy.
Israelites and Samaritans. Women and men. Roman centurions and Jewish scribes.
Fishermen and tax collectors.
The faithful and the betrayers.
What if we as followers of Christ simply followed his lead.? "Come and see."
Not, "Make Jesus your personal savior."
Not. "Believe or go to hell."
Not even, "Why aren't you coming to worship?"
But "Come and see."
Come and see who Jesus is, how Jesus loves, and the hope that he offers.
Come and see.
You have invited me, Jesus, to keep the invitation going. Help me to show others in love what richness your story offers. Amen
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