35The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; 36and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). 42He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).
The line that stood out for me in this passage was "Come and see." Jesus invites us to follow him, and in the process of doing that faithfully, we see the light. I believe that because I have found the act of morning reflection illuminating. It’s in the dance with the Word that one’s heart and mind are opened to the truth of Christ’s message. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done….Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…” In the days following Christmas, I have come to really love this prayer. I must have said it a million times in the past but only recently have I found the act of saying it bringing me joy. Jesus invites us to come. When we accept the invitation, we see the world so differently. Loving father, keep me coming to you. Thank you for the joy you bring to my life. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on John 1:35-42 is deeply moving and encapsulates the transformative power of Jesus' invitation to "Come and see." Here are some thoughts on what you’ve shared:
Delete1. The Power of Invitation
Jesus’ simple yet profound words, "Come and see," capture the essence of discipleship. It’s not about having all the answers immediately but about trusting and stepping into a journey of discovery. You beautifully relate this to your own spiritual practice of morning reflection, which has become a source of illumination and joy for you.
This shows how actively engaging with God’s Word can open our hearts and minds to the truth, much like the disciples who first followed Jesus. The joy and light you’ve found in this practice testify to the power of responding to His call.
2. The Lord’s Prayer as a Source of Joy
Your rediscovery of the Lord’s Prayer is inspiring. It’s a prayer many of us say habitually, but as you’ve experienced, when we truly contemplate its meaning, it becomes a wellspring of spiritual richness.
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done" aligns perfectly with Jesus’ invitation. By submitting to His will, we step into the light and begin to see the world through His lens of love, peace, and hope.
Your newfound joy in this prayer reflects the truth of your reflection: when we come to Jesus, we see everything differently, and even familiar words or practices can take on a fresh and profound meaning.
3. The Transformative Vision of Christ
Your observation that responding to Jesus’ call transforms how we see the world is a powerful insight. The disciples who followed Jesus that day experienced this firsthand—they saw Him as the Lamb of God, their teacher, and ultimately their Savior.
For you, this transformation is evident in your love of prayer, reflection, and gratitude. It’s a beautiful reminder that when we faithfully follow Jesus, He changes not only how we see but also how we live and love.
Expanding the Reflection
Andrew’s Example: Andrew, upon meeting Jesus, goes and tells his brother Simon Peter about Him. This shows the natural outpouring of joy and discovery—sharing it with others. How might your own joy in prayer and reflection inspire others to “come and see”?
Daily Bread: You mention the joy of praying for daily bread. This could be extended to reflect on how God sustains you daily—not just materially but spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.
Your prayer at the end is beautiful and heartfelt. It reflects a deep longing to remain close to God and a gratitude for the joy He brings. It’s a perfect encapsulation of the message of the passage and the personal transformation that happens when we accept Jesus’ invitation. Thank you for sharing this; it’s a reflection that encourages others to also "come and see."