The
little girl was nearly bubbling over with exuberance. “Come and see, Daddy,”
she insisted, tugging at her father’s sleeve. “Come and see what I found!” Her
joy is contagious.
.
. .
Startled
passersby on the dusty road move aside for the speeding man in long traditional
robes. He sprints past them,
grinning from ear to ear. What good news
does he carry? they all wonder. Careening around the next bend, he spots
his brother and the news tumbles out: “Simon, Simon! We have found the Messiah!
Come and see!”
.
. .
Philip
simply couldn’t wait for an “appropriate time” to share his news. He tramped
through the dense foliage to the secret hideaway where he knew his friend was
praying. Ditching formalities, he interrupted without apology. “We have found
him of whom Moses, in the law and the prophets, did write—Jesus of Nazareth. .
. . Come and see!”
.
. .
Joy
must be shared. It’s a natural reaction. If we’ve found something good or
exciting, we want to tell someone! Even John the Baptist, when He first set
eyes on Jesus, forgot the rest of his sermon in his excitement. “Suddenly…his
eye kindled, his face was lighted up, his whole being was stirred with deep
emotion. With outstretched hands,” he announced the presence of the long-promised
One—the Messiah. DA 135
“With
the calling of John and Andrew and Simon, of Philip and Nathanael, began the foundation of the Christian
church. John directed two of his disciples to Christ. Then one of these,
Andrew, found his brother, and called him to the Savior. Philip was then
called, and he went in search of Nathanael. These examples should teach us the
importance of personal effort, of making direct
appeals to our kindred, friends, and neighbors.” DA 141
When
Christ starts working in our lives, when we start to see Jesus for who He really
is, when we really start to realize the amazing depth of His love for us, we
won’t be able to keep it to ourselves! “No sooner is one converted than there
is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he
has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his
heart.” DA 141
The
Bible itself ends with an invitation to “come”—“And the Spirit and the bride
say, ‘Come.’ And let him that heareth say, ‘Come.’ And let him that is athirst
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Who
have you invited?
