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Here John reports about the beginning of Jesus Christ’s work and about two people, who met with Jesus.  They were the disciples of John the Baptist, were witnesses of his preachings, in which he spoke of the coming of God’s kingdom and of the necessity of conversion and of repentance. They heard the testimony of the Baptist: “Look (behold) the lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” Maybe, they even saw Jesus being baptised and heard the voice from heaven: “You are my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” From all this experience, they were so impressed and became inquisitive, that they simply followed Jesus. He noticed them and asked:   “What do you seek?” They asked: “Where do you live?” Jesus answered them: “Come and see!”  They accept Jesus’ invitation and spent the rest of the day with Him. It is not reported what Jesus told them, but this staying with Him and seeing, made the two perceive that Jesus is truly the Messiah, they were waiting so long for. Now how do they handle this recognition? They can’t and won’t keep it to themselves: “We have found the Messiah!” They have found what they sought after, and they want their brothers to share with them. They should also meet with this Saviour. They are not satisfied to just point them to Him, much more Andrew, when he finds his brother Simon, takes him by the hand and leads him to Jesus. This action leads, in the further development of the story, to a chain-reaction. Everyone gives the joyous message further: “Come and see!” It is like a fire which spreads rapidly and inflames everyone.

How is this with us in our life? Most of us are Apostolic Christians from childhood on, or for many years. Are also baptised with water and spirit, come under the Word of God, Sunday after Sunday. Again, and again, the gospel of Christ is brought nigh to us. Through His messengers He lets us know what is necessary to follow Him and to have a life with Him. In bread and wine, He is present. Christ says, that He has come to kindle a fire in us and wants nothing more dearly, than that the fire would already be burning. The Bible tells of the Emmaus disciples that, though they did not recognize Jesus at first, but when He spoke with them, their heart burnt. And when He sat with them in communion at the table, it dawned on them who He was. Also, with them, this experience and encounter with Jesus did not remain without consequences.  They turned around and proclaimed to their brothers: “Jesus lives! We have seen Him!”  John writes in his first epistle: “What we have seen and heard, that we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3)

What effect has our encounter with Jesus had on us? When also, above our life, the words stand: “We have found the Christ!” This must have forcible consequences. Then it must drive us, to carry forth this joyous message.  To take people by their hand and bring them to Christ. There is no need for great theological speeches but sufficient is “Come and see, Here I am at Home!” Like Phillip, we won’t get discouraged by a Nathaniel.  Often, we complain about conditions in Christendom and particularly in our congregations: Many turn their back on the church, new growth and increase is needed. Often, we observe: “Who wants to still know something of Christ in this present time?” Let us ask ourselves, what picture does the church and the Christians portray in this world? And here we should not look at others but view ourselves. For many people: a Christian is bound all through his life and narrowed in by commandments and do’s and don’ts, connected with self-chastisement and walking in sack-cloth and ashes; well, a very unhappy affair. Sorry to say, many Christians portray this. They go through life like grey mice and care-worn people. Really incomprehensible, because, When I am saved from death and am able to live through Christ, have come from imprisonment into freedom (liberty), from a slave to a child and called to become heir to the Kingdom of God, my heart must be rejoicing. Can this joy be traced in our lives? Do we live this glad tiding, that we have found the Saviour and Redeemer of our life?

Life challenges us to live in love, so that through it the love of Christ will shine. By this we will be recognized, not by our speech, but by our life and our deeds; by our fruits also. Let the wind of God’s Spirit breathe into our lives, that He will kindle again, a faint glimmer to a great fire and we then fulfil our commission to be the light of this world.