Come and See

 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’ John 1:43-51


I find myself, when with those who really know me, much more relaxed, and much more willing to be teased and prodded, encouraged and chided. When we know ourselves loved and trusted, we drop our defenses and become pliable and teachable.  We are our true, vulnerable selves, and in that fragile skin, we can make great things happen. When we are protective, unsure and discomforted, we are watchful, reactive and unlearning. When we let go, surrounded by love, the broken bits and the lost moments can be transformed and blessed.

Philip calls his friend to come and see Jesus. Jesus lets Nathanael know that he is known and loved, just as he is. We all want to be known and loved, just as we are. The incarnate God, who walks among us, comes as a loving friend, one who sees us completely and rejoices in us. We are invited to be known completely, to see us as Jesus sees us and to live as the beloved of Christ.

Today, I ask God to help me be vulnerable and trusting, knowing that God is remaking me and building me up as I learn to accept that love. May we all know the love of God which accepts us completely, knows us by name and is always walking with us, and leading us through the darkest journeys.