Come, and you will see

John 1:35-39

I. Look, the Lamb of God! (35-37)

When the Baptist John said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ twice over the two days (John 1:29, John 1:36), two of his disciples followed Jesus (37). Here, we can learn that leading other(s) to Jesus could take more than one attempt.

II. Come, and you will see (38-39)

Jesus turned around, saw them following, and asked ‘What do you want?’ (38a) Jesus was not indifferent even when they were behind Him, but turned around to respond to their following. Jesus didn’t wait for them to ask Him what they want but initiated the communication by asking ‘What do you want?’ Here we see ‘God who seeks us’ in Jesus. God came to be with us through Jesus without waiting for us to come to Him (Matthew 1:23). God seeks true worshippers regardless of where they worship (John 4:23). God seeks one lost sheep leaving ninety-nine behind (Matthew 18:12).

Jesus is the King (Matthew 2:2). But Jesus didn’t hide in a palace. He didn’t guard against their approaches. Instead, Jesus helped them get what they want most by asking ‘What do you want?’.

They answered, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’(38b) They thought they needed to know where Jesus was staying to secure their opportunity to follow Him.

Jesus replied, ‘Come and you will see.’ (39a) Jesus was so welcoming them as if He was waiting (Luke 15:20).

• ‘Come’ – Jesus instantly invited them.
• ‘and you will see.’ – Jesus gave them a promise to see.
  • They went and saw where he was staying (39b).
  • They saw His glory according to John 1:14.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

They spent that day with Jesus till about 4 p.m. (39c)

References
Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel.