February 23, 2012

Come and See

My daughter asked about a birthday gift and I told her about a brand of lotions that I buy in the grocery store. She was skeptical. She had never heard of that brand and normally shops for such things in places like Holt Renfrew. But she took a friend and they went to the store to sample the merchandise. Both of them were amazed. They purchased a basketful for me and decided they would start buying the same product.
 
Come and see. Sometimes the best way to prove the value of something is not through a sales pitch but a demo. Car dealers know that. So do people who sell other things, from sewing machines to new food products. Christians ought to know it too.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:45–46)
In the early days of Christ’s ministry on earth, there were no billboards, ad campaigns, facebook or twitter. The only way anything could go viral was by word of mouth. And it did. News of Messiah’s arrival travelled fast. By the time Jesus had “gone public” His fame had spread to the point that the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” (John 12:19) 

What about today? Is Jesus well known? In one way, His name is known; it is a common swear word. Millions on this planet, including children and those in almost all countries, use Jesus Christ as blaspheme without even knowing whose name it is. 

Not only that, few understand the power of Jesus’ name. if they did, would they then say it with awe and prayerfully? Perhaps if they would “come and see” they would understand the amazing grace of God that can be theirs through believing in His name.
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
Taking a good look at Jesus reveals so much about His power and the worth of His name.
While you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (Acts 4:30)
Men have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:26) just as Paul said, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13) 

His name also changes lives. After a list of what sinners do, the Bible says, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11).

God gives the invitation to come and see, to experience Jesus, but more than that, to believe in Him. By believing, we receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life. We also enter into a new life and become part of His family, a family bound together by faith in the name of Christ and by a love that only He can produce in us.
And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. (1 John 3:23)
At times I weep because some blaspheme His name, or ignore it, or are not interested, or are not willing to “come and see” for themselves. Even though I’d rather they change and learn of Him, it is some comfort to know that eventually Jesus Christ will be honored because everyone will bow when they hear His name.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)


Jesus, Your name is beautiful as well as powerful. By faith in You, I have assurance of eternal life. My sins are forgiven and You are giving me power to overcome them. One day, I will enter eternity where Your name will be above all names, no longer abused or ignored but exalted to the glory of God. Help me today to honor You in whatever way I can, and to invite others to come and see.

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