THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Lord, were you smiling, knowing they were following you? How far did you walk before you confronted them?

Andrew and John heard John the Baptist declare you as the “Lamb of God,” Israel’s Messiah. They wanted to check you out for themselves. What did these two discuss while they trailed you? Lord, did they reason if John the Baptist felt unworthy to even untie your sandals, who were they, as sinful as they were, to approach you, the Savior of the world?

Would you dismiss them? Scold them? They had no formal religious training. They were fishermen, eking out a living on the Sea of Galilee. What could they offer you? Religious elites felt these uneducated commoners were beneath them. Would Jesus be the same?

You stopped and turned. Nothing harsh. Nothing threatening. No condescending tone. Just a simple question: “What do you want?”

Stunned that you would address them, they could only blurt out, “Rabbi, where are you staying?”

Lord, their words may have escaped them, but you knew what they wanted to say: “we want to know you, be with you. We want to be like you.”

Jesus, l loved your gentle invitation: “Come and see” (John 1:35–39).

In the coming days, ten more disciples joined this group. These twelve men changed the world forever.

Andrew and John would be the first of billions who responded to your invitation, “Come and See.” Come and see who you can become if you put your trust in me. Come and see what a meaningful life I will give you. Come and see how you can change your world. Come and see, and be sure to bring your sin, shame, and guilt, since I’ve already taken care of them.”

Only you can change hearts. You give the light that drives the darkness from our souls. You give hope when situations shout “hopeless.” You bring calm to life’s storms and peace to troubled souls.

Thank you, Jesus, for including me in your Come and See invitation. Amen.