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 toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get 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 have spent much of my young life resting under the shade of a fig tree. It was a great place to hide from my family and the world. The leaves are wide and provide great shelter and the limbs were large and easy to climb. Nestled there, in the fig tree in our yard, I felt safe from anyone's harassment. And, like Nathaniel, I was, and am, reluctant to face the heat of the day. Yet, Jesus surprised Nathaniel. A whole new life and possibilities lay before. But he had to come and see, not stay back in the comfort of his lair. 

Gracious and loving Creator

you have more for us each day

no matter age or place in the world

you call us out to come and see.

Help us to move from our comforts

to your places of challenge and wonder.

Let us be humble enough to follow

and faithful enough to take risks for love. Amen.