Pointing Beyond Ourselves
Last Sunday I felt the season changing in our church life. We’re exploring what it means to be formed in Jesus, known in community, and sent in love. Our mission is to extend God’s redeeming love—and that starts with noticing where Jesus is moving among us.
Encounters That Change Us
In John 1:35–39, John the Baptist sees Jesus and simply points: Look, the Lamb of God! Two disciples begin to follow Jesus. Jesus turns, sees them, and asks, What do you want? Their question, Rabbi, where are you staying? reveals a deeper longing to be with him. Then Jesus says,
Come, and you will see. – John 1:39
They spend an afternoon with him, and everything changes. Discipleship isn’t a program; it’s living with Jesus until his life shapes ours.
The Simple Witness of Friendship
Andrew’s first response is to find his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah. He brings Simon to Jesus, and Jesus looks at him and gives him a new name—Peter. Andrew didn’t need a perfect explanation; he just needed to share what he had seen.
Inviting Others to Come and See
When Philip finds Nathanael, he connects Jesus to Scripture and daily life: We have found the one Moses wrote about…and here he is, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Though Nathanael doubts, Philip doesn’t push; he echoes Jesus’ invitation:
Come and see. – John 1:46
Our invitations often feel awkward when they’re disconnected from real life. But when we truly live with Jesus, our simple, honest come and see can open hearts.
Practical Steps for This Season
This fall we’re hosting Dinner Church every Sunday evening for four weeks—meals, Scripture, questions, and prayer around a table. It’s an opportunity for people who might not come on Sunday mornings to taste the life of Jesus in community. I encourage you to start with one person in your life. Pray, notice, listen, and love them. Then, when the moment feels right, invite them: Would you come and see with me?
Jesus is still finding people. He’s still turning toward those who seek him and asking, What do you want? Let us be ordinary witnesses, pointing others to Jesus. Come and see.
Amen.