Recently, when a snow/ice storm was forecast for our area, several people remarked, “I will believe it when I see it.” Since we rarely get snow, much less ice, they felt it would never happen. We all became believers that week.
John the Baptist said he would not have known Jesus if God had not told him. “…The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” He then exclaimed, “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God” (John 1:33-34 NIV1984). Seeing is believing.
There are several incidents in the Bible in which doubt preceded belief. Later, two disciples (one being Andrew) followed Jesus after hearing John say, “Look, the Lamb of God!” For something better to say, they asked where He was staying. “‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see…’” (John 1:39). They believed and were blessed to spend the day with Jesus.
Andrew told his brother, Simon Peter, that they had found the Messiah, and immediately took him to Jesus. After Jesus told Philip to follow him, Philip found Nathanael and said they had found the one Moses had written about — “Jesus of Nazareth…” (John 1:45) Philip found that hard to believe: “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” He responded, “Come and see…” (John 1:46). After meeting Jesus, Nathaniel said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49). Seeing is believing.
Jesus later introduced Himself to a Samaritan woman who could not comprehend His reference to life-giving water. She knew that Messiah was coming, but she didn’t know when. Jesus said, “…I who speak to you am he” (John 4:26). The woman went back to her town and told the people: “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29). Because of her testimony, many Samaritans believed in Jesus, saying “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).Seeing is believing.
Upon hearing that His friend, Lazarus, had died, He asked where he had been buried. “…‘Come and see, Lord,’ they replied” (John 11:34). When Lazarus came out of the grave, “Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’” (John 11:40). Many of the Jews visiting Mary at that time put their faith in Him.
Countless people doubt God’s existence. They think He is a myth and that Christians have been deceived. Others may take notice and wonder what motivates us to worship and serve God. They see a difference but cannot explain it. To those individuals, we must say, “Come and see.” Invite them to church. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open their eyes to the gospel. Recently, in the Missions Section, the Baptist Trumpet featured two people who were invited to “come and see” for themselves. As a result, their lives changed forever; they saw, and they believed.
In John 1, Jesus is introduced as pre-existent with God and as God, as Creator of the universe, the life and light of men, and full of grace and truth. Because you and I have “seen Him and believed,” there is no room for doubt in our lives. He wants our complete trust.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8). You and I experienced Him when we were saved and found that He is indeed good! Seeing is believing.
