Overview
In the series CLOSER we will examine encounters of people who drew ever nearer to Jesus and were impacted, healed, changed, or otherwise transformed by the experience. As we study these close encounters in the gospel of John, our prayer is that we would emulate these examples and draw closer to Jesus in every way.
In our first CLOSER encounter we look at the disciples decision to 'Come and See' this man who was beginning to make an impresson. What will they do when they meet Him? What would you do?
Scripture
John 1:35-50
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 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.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions:
1. As we consider a CLOSER walk with Jesus in this series, imagine yourself on a walk with Jesus right now. Where are you walking? Where are you in relation to each other, how close or how distant are you? Why? How fast are you walking? Why do you think you are at that pace?
2. What can closer look like for you this week?
(a) Perhaps it’s making a commitment to carve out some personal one on one time with Him this week. Not good night Jesus at the end of a long and busy day, but real Focused time in prayer, where you leave space for silence and Jesus’ voice to enter the conversation.
(b) Perhaps it is reading this or another encounter with Jesus from the gospel. Reading is slowly, asking questions, trying to put yourself into the characters, taking another look at Jesus.
(c) Perhaps it is listening to a worship song that you enjoy, and tuning in to what it says about Jesus, and drawing closer to Him through that reflection.
3. If you find yourself in a position where you could be a Philip to a Nathanael, where an opportunity arises to invite someone to Come and See Jesus for who He is…go for it! What would a simple way to invite someone to COME AND SEE, be for you?
