Explore the Bible: December 11

Come and See • John 1:40-51 

By Rick Henson

Over a decade ago, Jimmy journeyed to Romania on a medical mission trip with about thirty of us. He served as the gatekeeper, admitting a few Romanians at a time into the church where the event was held. He told me he couldn’t lead folks to Christ, but he brought many to hear the Gospel.

Once in the airport on the way there, he told me of a young lady he met who was ready to be saved. I was privileged to share the Gospel with her and we witnessed a new birth. Jimmy brought her to Jesus by planting, even as another harvested. I told him he was witnessing by bringing her to hear the Gospel.

Andrew brought his brother Simon to meet Jesus. When Jesus met Simon, the Lord changed his name to Peter, which means “rock.” Simon was thereafter known as Simon Peter or simply Peter. Jesus changed him, beginning with his name.

We have no recorded sermons of Andrew in the New Testament, though many from Peter plus two books he wrote. Peter also was the source of the Gospel of Mark and preached at Pentecost where thousands were saved.

Like Andrew, Jimmy shared what he knew and God yielded the results. Jesus desires that we obey him by sharing what we have experienced. We can only tell what we know and share what we have experienced.

A genuine experience with Jesus results in our change. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 reads, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (KJV). In Jesus, we have a new identity and we become a new creation.

Later Phillip met Jesus and told others, starting with Nathaniel. Phillip simply stated that he had found the Messiah. He shared his experience, leading to the salvation of others. As we grow in the knowledge of Christ and in our devotion to him, we are called to share our experiences with people around us.

Advertisers constantly utilize testimonials to promote their wares. No one can dispute what happened to you, so share it often. They may not believe the Gospel, but none can argue with your changed life.

When Nathaniel heard about the Messiah, he was skeptical. He asked if anything good can come out of Galilee, obviously a common saying. His response was especially sarcastic since they were in Galilee.

Phillip, however, did not give up on Nathaniel and brought him to Jesus. Jesus took it from there as he told Nathaniel where he was when Phillip told him about the Messiah. Phillip believed and Jesus promised him he would see far greater revelations.

When we share the Good News of Jesus with someone, whether they are skeptical or open, Jesus has the responsibility of changing their hearts. We only share and He does the work. As with Nathaniel, Philip introduced him to Jesus and Jesus did the rest.

Mark 3:14 reads, “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” (NKJV). The disciples were first with Jesus before they preached.

We are called to invest time with our Savior and as we do, we slowly become more like him, ending with us being like Jesus when we meet Him face to face (1 John 3:2).

How much time do you spend with Jesus daily? The more you are with Him, the more you are like Him and the more you share Him. 

Henson is minister of outreach and evangelism at Bethel Church, Brandon.