The Lutheran Hour
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"Come and See"
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Text: John 1:50-51
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! To those who have been caught up by the devil’s doubts and the world’s denials, come and see: Jesus lives. To those who are confused or who question the love of the Lord, the Holy Spirit says, “Come and see. Jesus gave His life so you might have eternal life.” To God’s gracious invitation may we gladly respond. Grant this, Lord, unto us all. Amen.
Last night, when I took a break from writing this message, I had the opportunity of catching a few minutes of Public Broadcasting’s Antiques Roadshow. For those of you who are unacquainted with the program, the premise is simple: people bring in their old stuff to be appraised by people who are “experts” on old stuff.
A sweet, little old lady brought in some pieces of white jade which her husband had picked up when he was stationed overseas. She said he had gotten the carvings in a trade, but she didn’t know what he had traded. She had always liked the bits of bric-a-brac, but she wanted to know if they were really worth enough to make her keep dusting them for the rest of her life. The expert talked very slowly to the elderly woman. The expert said, “These things are beautiful.” The expert said, “These things were made in the 18th century.” The expert said, “These were made for the Imperial Court.” The expert said, “This one is worth $6,000, and that one is worth $8,000, and, the small one is worth $5,000.” Then the expert summed it up and said, “All together your white jade would sell for somewhere between $40,000 and $60,000.” The lady asked the expert to repeat that last bit; you know, about $60,000. She couldn’t believe her ears. She was surprised, shocked, astounded by her good fortune. She never knew what she had had in her home. In an instant the common had become uncommon, the trinket had become a treasure, and she found herself the owner of riches unimaginable. The lady was so sweet, so full of joy; you couldn’t help but feel glad for her. Of course, if the lady had never taken those pieces of white jade in to be inspected; if she had let them sit undisturbed on the shelf, content to give them an occasional glance as she lived her life, she would have remained in ignorance, oblivious to the value of the things right in front of her. What a sad story that would have been.
It would be almost as sad as people who know about Jesus, who have heard about Jesus, but have never really taken a good look at Him; who never see in the Babe of Bethlehem, the Christ of the cross, the conquering Savior of Resurrection Sunday, that they have been given the most valuable of gifts. Indeed, it’s quite possible you might be one of those people. I think it’s easy to be one of those folks who have nothing against Jesus personally, but, for reasons of their own, have decided He is nothing but a bit of ancient history. Interesting, perhaps, but of little consequence. In truth, there are a lot of reasons to overlook Jesus, to write Him off, and to undervalue Him.
What kind of reasons? Well, some people have been brow-beaten into paying lip-service to Christianity when they were young. Maybe your Mom and Dad forced you to go to church on Sunday, but during the course of the week the family lived their life without Him. Maybe you’ve written Jesus out of your life because of the horrible and hypocritical things you’ve seen some of His followers do. Yes, there are many things which can keep Jesus on the shelf, aren’t there?
What keeps you away from Jesus? Some of you have questions, legitimate, logical questions, but you’re afraid to ask them. You, like most people, want to know, “If God is supposed to be kind and all powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?” You want someone to explain why, when there are so many other so-called “holy books” out there, you should believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. You’d love to have someone sit down and explain why Jesus is more than a myth, an ancient leftover from centuries long ago. You’d like to ask, but you won’t. You’re afraid you’ll be told, “It’s a matter of faith. We’re not supposed to know.” Well, I want to tell you, there are reasons, logical reasons, sensible reasons, for what we believe. If you doubt me, send in your questions and we’ll answer them at the end of our broadcast.
Yes, it’s easy to dismiss Jesus. It’s easy when so many scientists go out of their way to say, “Anyone who believes in such stuff-and-nonsense is gullible and naïve”; when college professors downgrade any student who doesn’t comply with the skeptical and cynical outline of their course syllabus. It’s easy not to believe Christ is your Savior when the political climate of western culture has branded as “politically incorrect” anyone who accepts as true “Jesus is the world’s only Savior from sin.” My friend, I don’t know why you undervalue Jesus; why you keep Him on the shelf. I only know that many of you are doing just that.
Now, if you have your hand poised over the radio dial; if you are ready to punch the button because you think I’m going to start shouting and screaming at you; you can relax. I’m not going to do that because Jesus never did that. Oh, it’s not that Jesus didn’t get angry, He did. It’s not that He didn’t speak forcefully and vigorously. He did that, too. I’m convinced He even, upon occasion, turned up His volume. But Jesus reserved His disdain and dislike for those who had poured their venom out on His Father’s love and the Holy Spirit’s call. On the other hand, when Jesus encountered someone who had sensible questions and serious doubts, He dealt with those people in an understanding and considerate way. He met them where they were and provided accurate, honest answers said in a style they could understand.
Come, look in the Gospels and see Jesus as He visited with people like you and me. If you do, you will never find Jesus rebuking or reprimanding those who come to Him with honest questions or heartfelt concerns. On the contrary, the Bible almost indicates the Savior expected people to doubt and it shows Him genuinely embracing the opportunity to answer every query put before Him. Understand, I’m not speaking of those fake and foolish folks who pompously, self-assuredly raise religious questions but remain immune to hearing the Holy Spirit’s answer. No, I’m talking of how Jesus respectfully welcomed anyone who, by the Holy Spirit’s direction, sought Him out with a sincere heart.
Let me give a few examples of folks who, in their wonderings and mental wanderings are very much like you and me. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, before He had even called men to be His disciples, John the Baptist identified Him as the Son of God, the Savior of the world. When some of John’s disciples decided to check out the claim that the carpenter’s son from Nazareth was the Christ, Jesus didn’t give them a lengthy theological lecture; He didn’t hand them a list of books to read so they might understand Him; He didn’t bring them to His corporate headquarters. No, Jesus simply extended a one-word invitation, “Come,” and with that invitation, the assuring promise, “Come and you will see.” To make a long story short, they did go, and they did see, and Jesus became so valuable to them, so important to them, they spent the rest of their lives following, and believing, and sharing His story of salvation.
Then there was the time Jesus invited another man to follow Him and see. The first thing that man did was pass Jesus’ summons on to another fellow named Nathanael. Excitedly, enthusiastically, he said, “Look, we’ve found the fellow, the Savior, promised by Moses and the prophets. Come along with me, I’ve got to introduce you to Jesus from Nazareth.” That last part, about Jesus being from Nazareth was a deal-breaker for Nathanael. Why? You see, Nathanael, like many people in those days, had studied the writings which we call the “Old Testament.” Quite probably Nathanael knew the promises concerning the Messiah. If he did, he remembered the Old Testament definitely states the Savior would be born in Bethlehem. If Jesus was really from Nazareth, He would have been out of the running. Correcting his enthusiastic, albeit seemingly-erring friend, Nathanael replied, “Pal, you know nothing good, most certainly nothing as blessed and needed as the Savior, is going to come out of Nazareth.” Nathanael’s objection was brushed aside by Philip’s compelling invitation: “Come and see.”
I cannot tell you whether it was in deference to his friend, or out of curiosity, or because he was, in spite of evidence to the contrary, trying to keep an open mind; but Nathanael did go and see. I also cannot tell you what passed between Nathanael and Jesus in their first encounter. Jesus, watching Nathanael and Philip coming down the road, announced, “Look, here comes an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” It was a curious and interesting statement which did not go unnoticed. Nathanael said: “Sir, I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting each other before; from where do you know me?” Jesus answered by saying something like: “Nate, before Philip sought you out, when you thought you were alone, when you were absolutely positive nobody knew where you were, I saw you by the fig tree.” Now that little bit of information might not seem like much to you or me, but Jesus’ revelation blew Nathanael right out of the water. In an instant Nathanael’s doubt and disbelief were dispelled, and he enthusiastically endorsed Jesus as the Messiah with the declaration: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” To which Jesus said, “My friend, you haven’t seen anything yet. I’ve given you what you needed to believe, but before your time with Me is over, you, like your forefather Israel, are going to see the heavens open and angels ascend and descend upon Me, for I am the promised Savior.” It was a promise Jesus kept.
Do you understand what I’m saying? Jesus has no problems with folks, like you, who have honest doubts. When John the Baptizer’s life was coming to an end, from prison he asked Jesus, “Are You the Savior we’ve been expecting, or should we look for someone else?” Jesus did not condemn John for the question. On the contrary, Jesus, who that very day had shown His Divine power by healing the sick who had been brought to Him, told John’s disciples to deliver these words: “Go and tell John what you have just seen and heard. Tell him how the blind have received their sight, the lame are walking, the lepers are being cleansed, the deaf are able to hear, the dead are brought back to life and the poor are being given God’s good news.” Then Jesus said, “And fellows, remind John that a person will be blessed if he lives and dies without being offended by Me” (Luke 7:22-23, paraphrased).
Again and again, Scripture shows Jesus gladly welcoming those who have honest reservations and sincere uncertainties. Years later, after He had finished His ministry; after He had refused Satan’s temptations and resisted sin’s enticements; after He had been accused by His church and betrayed by a friend; after He had been condemned and crucified; Jesus rose from the dead. It was an event, which although prophesied, seemed so earth-shaking, so unexpected and unanticipated, even those who were closest to Him received the news with genuine doubt and disbelief. One of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas, reasonably responded to the resurrection news by saying: “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into those marks and put my hand into Jesus’ side, I can’t and won’t believe.” Honestly, if I had lived during those days, I would probably have said the same thing – some of you still are.
Not more than a week after that disciple had made his declaration of disbelief, Jesus – a living Lord Jesus – sought him out. The Savior’s arrival in a locked room was not announced by a clap of thunder; nor were Jesus’ first words to His doubting disciple filled with censure and disapproval, of condemnation and denunciation. Jesus did not malign the man; He did not belittle His follower; He did not make him grovel or chastise him. Instead, Jesus invited, encouraged, welcomed Thomas to touch Him – to see, to feel, to know, that He was really alive. Patiently Jesus waited, and with nail-pierced hands, encouraged, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; (and) put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Scripture records how Thomas’ sad sorrow and dark disbelief were immediately set aside by the brightness of faith in his living Lord. In a moment, Jesus, who had been in Thomas’ mind confined to being a wonderful, miracle-working teacher, became the world’s life-giving Savior. You see, dear friends, how Jesus deals with those who have doubts. It is how He wishes to deal with you.
Those who study history have heard many stories about the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates. Some of those stories are true, some are not. I cannot tell you into which category this one falls. As it has come down to us, the story begins when Socrates saw one of his students go into a house of “ill repute.” Coming near, the philosopher gently called out his student’s name. The embarrassed disciple decided to stay put in the hope his teacher would eventually give up and go away. Socrates kept calling. Finally, the student, his face crimson with shame, his head hanging down upon his chest, came out and stood before his teacher. Surprisingly, rather than giving a stern reprimand, Socrates spoke as a loving father. The philosopher said, “Come forth, my son! To leave this house is not a disgrace. The only disgraceful thing was to have entered and stayed there.”
Today, by God’s grace, the Lord Jesus is saying much the same thing to many of us. The living Son of God, who willingly, gladly, sacrificed Himself for our salvation, understands our doubts. He knows that you will find it difficult to believe that our Father could love us so much He would be willing to trade His Son’s life for yours. Jesus knows that the world is doing its best to put up roadblocks to your believing that the story of salvation is real and Jesus is your Savior. He knows it is difficult for you to believe in miracles, or that someone, even the Son of God, can conquer death and grave. He knows and He understands. Which is why Jesus, not unlike Socrates, says, “Come forth out of your disbelief, My sons! Leave behind your doubts, My daughters. To leave these things behind is not disgraceful. The only disgraceful and damnable thing is to stay locked into your disbelief. To leave this house of doubt is not disgraceful; the only disgraceful thing is to stay there.”
Come and see, the Savior’s love for you is real; His invitation to you is real. Speaking on His behalf I invite you to “come and see.” See that Jesus is not just a fine fellow; a friendly philosopher, a compassionate counselor or a noble teacher. He is your Savior, the living Lord of life. Come and see, and if you do, you will never again want to put Him away and up on a shelf. Come and see, and if you do, you will be in awe of, and amazed by, the value of Him. Come and see, and if you do, you will be shocked by how wonderfully wealthy He has made you. Come and see; and if you do, you will be able to say with Nathanael, “Jesus, you are the Son of God, the Savior of my soul.” To that end, if I or my friends in this ministry can be of help, please, call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for January 18, 2009
Topic: Magi of the DevilANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Ken Klaus responds to questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer.
KLAUS: Hi, Mark. And what sort of question do we have on the docket for today?
ANNOUNCER: Well, today our topic actually deals with the beliefs of another church. Several representatives of this particular faith came one day to our listener’s house and they got into a religious discussion.
KLAUS: Without mentioning the denomination, that kind of narrows things down already.
ANNOUNCER: One of the things they discussed is something appropriate to this season of Epiphany.
KLAUS: The Gentile Christmas, when we remember the Wise Men coming to the house where Jesus was.
ANNOUNCER: Exactly. These visitors told our listener that the star that led the Wise Men to Jesus was not put there by God, but by the devil.
KLAUS: OK, now I know which denomination these people were representing.
ANNOUNCER: To continue: They said God would never have helped astrologers to see Jesus.
KLAUS: Yes, the Magi made it their practice to study the heavens in order to help them explain events which were taking place here on earth.
ANNOUNCER: Well, since astrology is condemned in the Old Testament (I’m thinking here of Deuteronomy chapter 18 as well as Isaiah chapter 47), these visitors said the devil put that star there in the heavens in order to lead the Wise Men to King Herod so that King Herod would become jealous, and then send his soldiers to kill Jesus. And, if Jesus had been killed as an infant, the story of salvation would never have been completed. That’s the theory – what do you think?
KLAUS: I think that some people have a wonderful imagination.
ANNOUNCER: I take it by that, you don’t put much stock in their theory?
KLAUS: No, Mark. I don’t put any stock in that theory.
ANNOUNCER: Why not?
KLAUS: Well, there’s a multitude of reasons. Here’s the first: The ability to create things, to make something out of nothing like the earth, or the sun…
ANNOUNCER: Or a star…
KLAUS: …Or a star, is something that is not found in the job description of the devil. As far as I can tell, that power is reserved for the Lord and for the Lord alone. God created the universe, and if a star appeared in the heavens, it was He who put it there.
ANNOUNCER: OK. That’s reason #1.
KLAUS: Reason #2: The Old Testament reading appointed for Epiphany comes from the book of Isaiah, Chapter 60, I think. In that chapter we find a word of prophecy. It tells how men on camels would come with gold and incense and sing the praises of the Lord.
ANNOUNCER: So you’re saying that one of God’s Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of the Wise Men.
KLAUS: I am. Even more than that, I’m saying the devil doesn’t have the ability to put words into the mouths of God’s prophets. Nor would a prophet’s words be listed as part of God’s inspired Word if it had been put there to do the devil’s bidding. Amongst other things, the Old Testament prophets gave information that helped to identify the coming Savior and His work. They certainly didn’t say things to help short circuit the job Jesus was going to do.
ANNOUNCER: I especially like that reason. Anything else?
KLAUS: There is. If this star is not from God, how come Mathew never says so? I mean, he could have told the story like, “Some Wise Men who had followed a false vision sent by Satan showed up at Herod’s palace. This was the devil’s way of murdering the infant Jesus. But the Lord turned Satan’s plan to good by sending a dream to the Wise Men and a warning to Joseph so he might evade the soldiers of Herod.”
ANNOUNCER: And St. Matthew says nothing like that.
KLAUS: Not a word.
ANNOUNCER: Anything else you could say?
KLAUS: Maybe one other thing, although this one is also an argument from silence. Mark, can you think of any place in that story where the Wise Men are condemned?
ANNOUNCER: No, now that you mention it, I can’t.
KLAUS: You can’t, because it’s not there. What we have in this wonderful story, the story which says the Savior is for all people wherever they might be, is this: God took some people who were idolaters and star gazers and brought them to faith.
ANNOUNCER: And God used this miracle to indicate the Divinity of Christ as well.
KLAUS: Yes. It’s a story that has been repeated again and again throughout history. In fact, we’re here talking about this because someone somewhere, sometime, shared the Savior’s story of salvation with one of our ancestors.
ANNOUNCER: That’s a good way of looking at it. Thank you, Pastor Klaus. And we thank our listener for that question. If you have questions or comments about today’s program, call us at our toll-free number 1-800-876-9880. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music selection for this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by John Leavitt. Concordia Publishing House/SESAC
“Praise the Almighty, My Soul, Adore Him” sung by the Concordia Seminary Chorus (public domain)
“O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright” arranged by Michael Burkhardt. From Hymn Improvisations, vol. 1 by Michael Burkhardt (© 1993 MorningStar Music Publishers)
“Toccata in d minor” by J.S. Bach. From Glory to His Holy Name by John Vandertuin (© 1999 Artisan Classic Organ, Inc.)