Come And See For Yourself

"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael.  "Can anything good come from there?"

"Just come and see for yourself," Philip said.

John 1:46

Nathanael isn't much different than any of us.  It was't that he didn't want to believe in the Messiah, he just couldn't believe that anything or anyone good could come from a place that had poor judgment and morals.  Had he been so sure of his own prejudice, he would have missed out on meeting Jesus.  How many times do we get too busy in our life, or make quick judgments about something or someone that we miss out on meeting Jesus face to face?  How many times do I miss seeing the work of God because I let my own judgements and opinions stand in the way of seeing Him?  

If we aren't looking for Jesus and if we aren't willing to go meet Him where he is then we will miss out on the experience of knowing Him.  Nathanael wasn't going to get to know Him by just listening to Philip talk about Him, he needed to go and see for himself.  How often do we get lazy and just take someone's word for it. or do we overlook someone's Jesus story because we can't imagine how that would ever happen?  We have our doubts and without an open mind and a willingness to witness it for ourselves we miss out on knowing the One True God.  

If you continue reading a little you will see that it took one very short conversation, two statements, in fact, for Nathanael to believe.  Had he stuck to his original thoughts he may have stayed home sitting on his couch watching some TV show that had absolutely nothing to do with his salvation or his purpose in life.  Instead he was curious and he was willing to give this man from Nazareth a chance.

Do you ever encounter people like Nathanael?  Someone who has a bad taste for Jesus or a prejudice concerning Him?  It is not easy talking to someone like that but the best thing you can offer them is to "come and see him for yourself".  You don't have to force your thoughts on them, or your Jesus story, because it's their own encounter, with Him, that will make them believe.  So instead, just keep encouraging them to meet Him on their own, in there comfortable place. Because we are blessed with a God who is omnipotent, He can meet us wherever we are!  Offer them a bible and book mark some important scripture or ask them to join you in a bible study or quiet study time.  And most importantly pray for that person!  Straight from scripture ask God to pursue your friend or loved one in a way that sends them to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33).  Ask God to help your friend taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).  Don't let your friend's prejudice and stereotypes keep her from knowing Jesus and experiencing His power and love in her life.  Don't ever stop inviting her to "come and see for herself".  

Dear God, I have a friend on my mind who, for her own personal reasons, has trouble trusting in you and believing that you can bring her a life of peace and joy.  Please pursue her with Your great love and mercy.  Give her opportunities to meet You face to face.  My desire is for her to seek You first in in her life and to taste and see for herself that You are good and glorious.  Help me to be a friend with patience, someone for her to trust in, and give me the wisdom to walk her to You.  I ask this all in Jesus' Name, Amen