Come and See

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”

The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). John 1:35-42 

We often imagine others' lives and guess wrong. The only way we can really understand another is by seeing where  and how they live. Even then, we have to abide with them for a long time to really understand. Walking with others, seeing life through their eyes, and living in their shoes, is the beginning of understanding. We are often too busy to take the time to abide with others, and then wonder why we are so divided.

Jesus invites his new friends to come to his dwelling. They went and they stayed. In their willingness to join him in his space, they found a deeper understanding and a connection that was to change their lives forever. This Lent, we are invited to abide with those we seek to understand, so that God can change our lives forever. By crossing into strange quarters, God promises to make us new.

Today, I ask God to help me cross barriers in order to understand others. May we abide with others, so that God can change our hearts and minds for the love of the world.