“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” John 1:46 -47 NIV
Mutually exclusive was a fun math term which meant that both situations or events can’t exist as true at the same time. There is no intersection of the math equation. Either the problems were running parallel into infinity or they were on a trajectory moving in opposite directions. The same is true for the terms “come” and “not coming”.
Phillip invited Nathaniel to come and see for himself if Jesus was truly the Messiah. Jesus’ interaction with Nathaniel occurred because He saw Nathaniel approaching. Then Jesus made the comments and prophetic insight about Nathaniel’s life. Nathaniel made a decision to move from his place of rest under the tree to “come and see” Jesus.
How many missed opportunities occur within our lives for failure to move when the nudge of the Holy Spirit invites us to “Come and See”?
- Morning devotions. There is a standing invitation from God to meet with His children during prayer and Bible study. There may not be goosebump revelations at each meeting, but He has promised to meet with us. It’s the first daily invitation to come and receive from Him.
- Acts of kindness. The division of sheep and goats that Jesus refers to in Matthew 25 centers around their actions of kindness. Both the sheep and the goats were unaware of the importance of the opportunities to do good, but the option was available for both. As you go through your day the Holy Spirit will highlight specific circumstances for you to show acts of kindness. This is not just for the guy standing on the road with a sign. It’s remembering birthdays, taking a meal to a family who has lost a loved one, it’s paying the extra for someone struggling at the register to count their pennies, it’s sending a card for a word of encouragement, or being available to listen when someone needs an ear. There will be opportunities to “come” and minister to others in need as if Jesus was the person in need. Listen to Jesus words, “Come you who are blessed by my Father….whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34, 40 NIV.
- Release of your burdens. Jesus invites us to come and lay our burdens down and receive His rest. You may think you are proving to Him that you are mature by trying to handle the problems by yourself. He invites you to come. He wants you to receive the help that He is offering, but it requires you to move in His direction and to do something. What burdens are you carrying? Why do you hold on to some burdens? Does pride keep you from humbling coming to Jesus for help?
What a wonderful God we serve that invites us to come to Him. The One who created all things allows us to come and receive. May you be blessed to alter your course so that you can intersect with God’s plan for good and not to harm you. Move in the direction in which God invites you to come.
Blessings Love Y’all