INTRODUCTION

Have you ever discovered something amazing that you just couldn’t wait to show your friends or family? Some hidden treasure, old photo, or let’s be honest - Social Media video that you laughed and laughed at? We often wrap these events in sayings like, “You’ve got to check this out…” Or, “Look at this!” We love sharing our “finds” with others.

It’s this invitation to discovery that is so enticing about Jesus’ somewhat cryptic saying, “Come and See” that He uses throughout the gospels. In John 1 we hear Him extend this invitation to the first disciples as He bids them on a journey of a lifetime. A journey that would ultimately change their lives, the world, and humanity forever.

The amazing thing about faith is that this two-thousand year old invitation is the same one we answer today. Whenever we step out of our comfort zone and into faith we take a chance… Will it be amazing? Will it be worth it? Will I find what I’m looking for? There’s always a risk involved… Just as there was for those first disciples, and just as there is whenever someone wants to show you their amazing discovery or social media video.

With that being said, I would argue that the risk we take in following Jesus is worth it in the end. As Mrs. Beaver says to young Susan in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe;"Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

An Invitation to Encounter

Our journey begins with an invitation from Jesus Himself. In verse 43, we witness the simple yet profound words, "Follow me."It’s hard to grasp the profound nature of these words and what they would’ve meant in Jesus’ time. Can you even imagine a stranger saying that to you later today - and even more - can you imagine following them? But these words were more than a creepy, back-alley invitation. As one commentator notes, “This was a rabbinical call to be a permanent disciple. The Jews had set guidelines which defined this relationship.”

So Philip, responding to Jesus’ call, seeks out Nathanael and joyfully declares,"We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph"(John 1:45). Philip rightly understood who Jesus was and what, potentially, He was calling people to. Philip was excited, overjoyed, and eager to share his discovery with Nathanael.

Unfortunately, Nathanael was skeptical and asked if “anything good can come from Nazareth ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium