Breakfast with the Word 4th January: Come and See: A Call to Come closer to Jesus Christ
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Breakfast with the Word 4th of January 2025
John 1:35-42
Come and See: A Call to Come closer to Jesus Christ
When someone says “come and see things for yourself”, it means the person wants you to have a one and one encounter with him. He wants you to experience him as He is.
In today’s gospel, John points two of his disciples to Jesus.
As Jesus was passing them, John says to them, “Behold, the lamb of God.”
Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus.
When Jesus turned around and saw them following Him, He said to them ‘What do you want?’
They answered, ‘Rabbi, where do you live?’ Then, Jesus invites them to ‘Come and see’.
The Implication of Come and See.
In today’s encounter, John tells his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb of God, then going to Jesus, the disciples of John ask him where he is living, and Jesus invites them to come and see things for themselves.
Therefore, Jesus knows that only words may not be enough. He knows that explaining to them and telling them stories about Him and where He is living may not be enough. He now wants them to be with Him, encounter Him and have first-hand experience with Him.
This is a call to become one with Jesus. Today’s encounter reveals the desire and hunger that Jesus has for us. He desires that we develop an intimate union and communion with him.
This means that Jesus wants us to be connected with him, especially in a relationship.
Our vocation as Christians is not only by mouth, or being a member of the church. It is not only by attending Sunday services.
Jesus wants us to add more. He wants us to be so close and connected to God, having a personal relationship with Him and living like Him.
This is a call to imitate the Lord. It is when our lives, words, actions and words become that of Jesus.
Jesus calls us to have a deep encounter with Him with the invitation “come and see” in the gospel.
When one attaches himself to Jesus, He becomes one in spirit with Him. So, this is a call to live like the Lord.
The Result of this Encounter
1. After the two disciples encountered Jesus, one of them, Andrew, brother of Saint Peter who later became a disciple of Jesus Christ, ran to his brother, Simon Peter and said to him ‘We have found the Messiah’, which means, we have found the Christ, he took Simon Peter to Jesus.
2. Andrew must have been thrilled to have an encounter with Jesus. Something must have also inspired him to bring his brother to the Lord. He saw a good thing, he ran joyously and introduced his brother to the Lord.
First, this is a sign of the love he has for his brother. It also showcases the unity that exists among them. This gesture also reveals the inner joy that Andrew has with this experience and he decided to share this experience with others.
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Secondly, Andrew then became an instrument that drew Simon Peter to Jesus Christ. Therefore He became a living witness of the Messiah.
In the same way, when we have a true and close encounter with Jesus, our lives will change. We will be motivated to live a life like Jesus, living in love, peace, unity and selflessness.
When we truly live in Christ, we shall no longer be satisfied to live a life without him. A life without Jesus is a life without peace, love, joy and selflessness. Our lives will change when we welcome Him and go closer to him.
Like Andrew, we shall then become instruments that draw people closer to God. We shall become harbingers of peace, love and unity.
True Relationship with the Lord
God wants us to have a true relationship with Him. This is beyond mere going to church and becoming a member and yet we go back to square one.
This is an intimate and close relationship. When we become like Jesus, our actions, words, works and whatever we do reflects that of Him.
Today, many people have different reasons for going to God. Our first reason should not go beyond having a close encounter with Him. This will help us to know Him more.When the two disciples run to Jesus, the first question He asks them is “What are you looking for?
So, the question for us today is “Why are we looking for Jesus? What do we truly want from Him?
Come and Experience Him.
When Jesus says “Come and see” (John 1:39). He invites them to remain, to see, to pray and meditate and have more encounters with Him.
For many of us who truly want to know Jesus, the secret is to have a close encounter with Him.
For many of us who doubt many things about Him, what we need is an encounter.
You can never encounter Him truly and remain the same. This year, Jesus is inviting all to have more time with Him like the apostles.
Come and Remain with Him
The disciples spent the evening and the night with Him.
This is a time of closeness, relationship, prayers and intimacy with the Son of God. They remained with Him until the following morning. They must have heard a lot and prayed with Jesus.
We imagine the reason, Andrew immediately ran to His brother. So, this must have been a life-changing experience.
Therefore, a true encounter with the Lord must be truly life-changing.
Let us remember that, from this encounter, they began to point others to Jesus.
Therefore, We cannot be true disciples if we do not know nor have a close relationship with the One we are pointing people to. Then, all we can say about Him is from what we hear others say.
To know Jesus more, He invites us to come and have first-hand information and see things for ourselves.
Make this year, your year of a deeper relationship with God. You will never regret it. He is there in the chapel constantly inviting us to come. An invitation that will eventually mean well for us. Go and testify.
May God never forsake you. Amen.
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