Journey with us through these moments and discover how the good news speaks not only to those who first heard Him, but to you today.
Come and See!
Introduction (John 1:35-51)
If you are asking questions about Christianity—or simply curious about who Jesus is—this is a good place to begin.
This passage shows how people first encountered Jesus, and how faith often begins: not with certainty, but with an invitation.
The Question Beneath the Story
What does Jesus ask of someone who is curious—but not yet convinced?
Most people do not begin their journey toward God with certainty. They begin with questions—a quiet sense that there must be more to life than what they currently see or understand. Curiosity comes before commitment. Longing comes before clarity.
John’s Gospel opens in that exact moment.
Two men hear John the Baptist say of Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). Intrigued, they begin to follow Him at a distance—unsure of what they believe, but drawn enough to move closer.
Jesus turns and asks: “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38)
This is not a casual question. It reaches into the deeper desires of the heart. What are you really seeking? What do you hope God might give you? Why are you here?
Their answer is hesitant: “Rabbi… where are you staying?” (John 1:38).
It is not a clear question. But it is an honest one.
And Jesus responds with a simple invitation:
“Come and see.” (John 1:39)
Jesus Begins with Invitation, Not Pressure
Notice how Jesus meets them.
He does not begin with a list of beliefs.
He does not demand certainty.
He does not require them to resolve their doubts first.
He invites them to come closer.
Christian faith does not begin with having everything figured out. It begins with nearness—being close enough to Jesus to hear Him, observe Him, and encounter who He truly is.
The two men accept His invitation and spend the day with Him. We are not told what was said. But we are shown the result.
Andrew soon tells his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41).
Something changed.
Not through argument, but through encounter.
From Curiosity to Conviction
Andrew brings Simon to Jesus. And immediately, Jesus gives him a new name—Peter (John 1:42).
Jesus sees more than who Simon is. He sees who Simon will become.
The same pattern unfolds again.
Philip follows Jesus and tells Nathanael, who responds skeptically: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
Philip does not argue.
He simply says, “Come and see.”
When Nathanael meets Jesus, he realizes something profound: he has been seen and known before he ever arrived (John 1:47-48).
This is often how faith begins.
Not when we fully understand God—but when we realize that He already understands us.
Why This Matters
This story comes before the miracles, before the teaching, and long before the cross.
Because following Jesus begins with desire before it becomes understanding.
Jesus still asks:
“What are you looking for?”
People come to Him for many reasons—relief from guilt, a search for meaning, questions about truth, or a longing for something that can endure suffering.
Jesus does not reject those starting points.
He meets people in them.
What “Come and See” Really Means
This invitation is not a call to stay undecided forever. Nor is it blind faith.
It is an invitation to begin.
Come close enough to examine His life.
Listen carefully to His words.
Stay long enough for your assumptions to be challenged.
Over time, curiosity deepens into understanding. Understanding grows into trust.
And eventually, “come and see” becomes “follow me.”
But Jesus does not rush the beginning.
The Good News Behind the Invitation
Why does Jesus invite people this way?
Because He did not come merely to teach, but to save.
The title John uses—“the Lamb of God”—points forward to the cross. Jesus came to deal with our deepest problem: not just confusion, but sin. Not just questions, but separation from God.
On the cross, Jesus bears sin and judgment in our place. He rises to bring new life.
This means the invitation is not just to explore ideas—but to encounter a Savior.
Your Next Step
You do not need to have everything figured out.
But you are invited to respond.
Come and see.
Draw near to Jesus through His words. Ask your questions honestly. Stay long enough to understand who He is.
And be open to where that leads.
Questions for Reflection
What do you think Jesus is really asking when He says, “What are you looking for?”
Where do you see yourself in this story—and why?
What expectations or doubts do you bring when you think about Jesus?
What would it look like, practically, for you to “come and see”?
How might your perspective change if faith begins with nearness rather than certainty?
