“Come and see.” Those words seemed to zing off the page like an arrow shot from a bow and implant themselves in my spirit. Children have demanded that I “Come and see” as they sparkled with enthusiasm. I have said, “Come and see,” to my husband after I cleared another area in my ongoing decluttering project. But the words that impacted me that day were from the Bible.

Jesus called Philip to become one of his disciples. Philip, in turn, found his brother Nathaniel and informed him that he had just encountered Jesus of Nazareth, of whom Moses and the prophets had spoken. However, Nathaniel’s reception of Philip’s revelation was underwhelming, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” The implied sneer or eye-roll didn’t deter Philip. I picture the new disciple impatiently bouncing as he insists that his brother “Come and see” (John 1:46).

What an invitation! We must accept many things by faith in our spiritual lives, but there is a place for “Come and see.” God isn’t tucked away in the clouds while we desperately attempt to discover His hiding place. We can invite Him into the situation we face or blunder about trying to find a solution or copying strategy on our own. “Come and see” is an invitation to embark on a life adventure with Him.

Are you facing a problem that seems insurmountable? Come and see how He enters your world and helps you navigate the seemingly impossible. And in the process, you’ll discover more about His love and care for you. Life doesn’t necessarily unfold how we anticipate, but part of the joy in adventures is knowing there is an element of unpredictability.

On the first Easter morning, the angel invited the women who came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body to: “Come, see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6). He explained that there was nobody in the tomb because Jesus had risen. The ladies willingly accepted his offer to come and see. As a result, they didn’t walk away with niggling questions about whether the angel on door duty had duped them into believing a fairy tale.

Easter opens a whole world of “Come and see” for us. See how the Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again, can change your life. Are you hesitating or afraid to become a follower of Jesus, unsure where it will lead? Or, if you are one of His followers, are you struggling to trust Him with the challenges you encounter? See what the risen Son of God can and will do in you and your situation. Following Him isn’t a lifestyle enhancement; it’s a whole-hearted, all-in commitment. But it’s the best adventure you can imagine, and He will walk alongside you through the joys and the tough patches.

May you view the Easter story with fresh eyes this year as the import of the gift Jesus gave us impacts you anew. “Come and see” is an open invitation to experience His greatness no matter where you are along your faith journey.   

“Open your eyes and see—

how good God is.

Blessed are you who run to him.”

Psalm 34:8b

(The Message Bible)