Come and See

 

There have always been cynics who habitually try and see the worst in other people. They are quick to pour scorn on new ideas and fresh initiatives. ‘What’s the point?’ they say, ‘Nothing good will ever come of it.’ Jesus himself encountered his fair share of cynics. Some doubted his motives, others dismissed him as a mad man.

 

There was a character by the name of Nathanael. Philip, one of Jesus’ enthusiastic new followers told him that they had found the longed-for Messiah. It was Jesus from Nazareth. Jerusalem sophisticates like Nathanael despised lowly Nazareth. When he heard the claim that the Messiah was from that town, Nathanael responded, “What, can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

 

Spoken like a card carrying cynic. Philip’s response to this brush-off was classic. He simply said, “Come and see.” Nathanael came and saw Jesus and was never the same again. The old cynic was converted, saying of Jesus, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel.”

 

Now, you may have dismissed talk of the Christian faith with a weary shrug of the shoulders. “Can anything good come of that?” Get along to gospel preaching church and see for yourself. You will meet people whose lives have been transformed by knowing Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Interested? Cynical? Why not come and see? 

* From my piece for the July/August edition of News & Views, West Lavington's Parish Magazine