HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in JohnSample

Come and See

Here we find Jesus spending an afternoon with His disciples, perhaps along the banks of the Jordan River where He recently had been baptized. John recorded for us the first two things Jesus said to the group in this particular “teaching” session. In fact, these are the first words of Jesus (the “red letters” in some translations) in the book of John. Let’s eavesdrop. Jesus first asked those with Him, “What do you want”? That’s a profound question. There’s no record of the various responses the group may have given, but John tells us that Jesus responded to them, regardless of their specific “wants,” with a beautiful invitation to “come and see.” 

Is He asking us the same question today—what are we really seeking/wanting? Often times, our focus shifts from the journey of walking alongside Jesus to pursuing potential benefits we could gain from the relationship with Him, that is, pursuing Jesus with an agenda. Let’s honestly ask ourselves if we are solely pursuing Him to be healed physically. Healing shouldn’t be the central focus of our accepting His invitation to “come and see.” The Word teaches us that the ultimate “want” for a Christ-follower is: more intimacy with Him, to seek Him and His righteousness, and to share Him with others. Is that what we’re doing? If so, then the next step is simply to look into the face of the One who loves us most and accept His invitation to “come and see.” Who knows, maybe physical healing will manifest itself in the “come and see.”

QUESTIONS:

1. Have you considered what it is that you really want from Jesus? How might I need to re-prioritize my “wants”?
2. What would it mean for me to join with Jesus, to “come and see” what He has in store for me?
3. When you recognize Jesus as Messiah, that He IS the Word, should knowledge of Him alter our time priorities? If so, how will you make the adjustments?